{"id":31652,"date":"2026-10-15T00:16:26","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T00:16:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=31652"},"modified":"2026-10-15T00:16:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T00:16:26","slug":"helena-classic-bringing-first-bodybuilding-competition-to-the-capital-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=31652","title":{"rendered":"Helena Classic bringing first bodybuilding competition to the Capital City"},"content":{"rendered":"


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HELENA, Mont. \u2014 For months, competitors have been counting calories, pushing through early-morning workouts and fine-tuning their physiques for a few moments under the spotlight.<\/p>\n

Now, for the first time, Helena will host a bodybuilding and physique competition of its own.<\/p>\n

Watch the story here:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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Helena Classic bringing first bodybuilding competition to the Capital City<\/p>\n

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The inaugural Helena Classic is set for Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Great Northern Hotel, with 23 competitors signed up to take the stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cFitness is growing. Bodybuilding\u2019s growing,\u201d said Michael Hubner, owner of Adonis Strength and Fitness in Butte.<\/p>\n

For Helena Classic founder Stephanie Jolley, however, creating the competition comes from a personal connection to the sport.<\/p>\n

Jolley is a former competitor and personal trainer whose own journey into bodybuilding began after surviving cancer.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Former<\/p>\n

Stephanie Jolley<\/p>\n<\/div>

Former competitor and Helena Classic founder Stephanie Jolley takes the stage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWhen I first started, it was because I was a cancer survivor,\u201d Jolley said.<\/p>\n

What she found through bodybuilding eventually inspired her to create something for others.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was just something that lit me. It lit a fire inside me, and I just chased it after that, and everybody started supporting me and backing me up,\u201d Jolley said.<\/p>\n

Nine months ago, she began turning that passion into the Helena Classic. Jolley said organizing the event has since become a nearly around-the-clock commitment.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Helena<\/p>\n

Evan Charney, MTN News<\/p>\n<\/div>

A banner for the Helena Classic sits in Capital City Health Club<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cIt is 24\/7. It\u2019s become my other child,\u201d she said. \u201cI don\u2019t think there\u2019s actually any part of my day that doesn\u2019t at this point involve Helena Classic.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a personal trainer, Jolley has worked with a wide range of people, including seniors, people with disabilities and people with autism. Her goal with the Helena Classic is to create another place where people can challenge themselves and recognize how far they have come.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Personal<\/p>\n

Evan Charney, MTN News<\/p>\n<\/div>

Jolley working with a client<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThis became something of giving a stage or platform to other people so that other people can prove themselves or grow, start something new,\u201d Jolley said.<\/p>\n

One of those people is Harley Larson, who will make her competitive debut in the fit model division.<\/p>\n

Larson began preparing in May and has spent roughly two hours a day training almost every day of the week. <\/p>\n

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\n \"Posing\"<\/p>\n

Evan Charney, MTN News<\/p>\n<\/div>

Competitor Harley Larson practices posing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a little intense,\u201d Larson said. \u201cYou have a very strict food program. A gallon of water a day, 10,000 steps, you gotta get your cardio, get your lifts in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Larson said having a competition in Helena helped convince her to finally step onto the stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince it\u2019s Helena\u2019s first show, I decided why not it be my first show?\u201d Larson said. \u201cI kinda just wanted to prove to myself that I could do hard things and take the gym to the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said Jolley has also helped her with posing as she prepares for competition day.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Posing<\/p>\n

Evan Charney, MTN News<\/p>\n<\/div>

Jolley helps competitor Harley Larson with posing ahead of competition<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite the physical demands, Larson said much of the challenge has been internal.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s honestly a huge mental game,\u201d she said. \u201cJust keep pushing through, have the discipline and motivation to show up every day and give it your all.\u201d<\/p>\n

That dedication extends to more experienced competitors as well.<\/p>\n

\n
\n \"More<\/p>\n

Evan Charney, MTN News<\/p>\n<\/div>

Matt Mohar practices posing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Matthew Mohar has been bodybuilding for four years and has been lifting for much of his life. After previously competing in Missoula, he said he jumped at the opportunity to compete closer to home.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe discipline. The discipline is what I enjoy,\u201d Mohar said. \u201cMy entire life is all structured out.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Mohar, competition preparation can begin as early as 4 a.m. with morning cardio.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a lot of discipline. A lot of sacrifice. Hard work, routine, regiment, it takes everything from ya,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Cardio\"<\/p>\n

Evan Charney, MTN News<\/p>\n<\/div>

Mohar getting cardio in on the assault bike<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jolley said those sacrifices are part of why she believes everyone who reaches the stage deserves recognition, regardless of their final placing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you get up there, those people deserve a round of applause,\u201d Jolley said. \u201cSome people have lost a hundred pounds. Some of them are recovering addicts.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Helena Classic has also received support from outside the Capital City.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Weights\"<\/p>\n

Evan Charney, MTN News<\/p>\n<\/div>

Dumbbells sit on a weight rack at the gym<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hubner, whose Butte gym opened in 2025, connected with Jolley while the event was being organized. He is contributing $10,000 toward the competition, helping cover expenses including tanning and other fees. Six competitors from Butte are also expected to compete.<\/p>\n

Hubner said the event is part of a larger growth in bodybuilding across Montana.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about time that we have a few more shows here,\u201d Hubner said. \u201cMontana itself is growing with bodybuilding. Gyms are popping up everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Helena Classic will feature bodybuilding and strongman competition. Jolley has also discussed potentially expanding future events to include powerlifting and a 5K.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Tickets<\/p>\n

Evan Charney, MTN News<\/p>\n<\/div>

Materials for competitors getting set up<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A silent auction during the event will help support community partners, including Victory Alliance, Toys for Tots and Pink Ladies.<\/p>\n

For Larson, though, Saturday will ultimately be about seeing five months of work come together under the lights.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously I want to win, but just to be up on that stage and feel confident and proud of myself will be the most rewarding,\u201d Larson said.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Competition<\/p>\n

Evan Charney, MTN News<\/p>\n<\/div>

Trophies for the competition sit ready to be given out to winners<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Helena Classic takes place Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Great Northern Hotel in downtown Helena. The national anthem and strongman competition are scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m., with finals scheduled for 4:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

Organizers hope this year\u2019s inaugural competition is the first of many, creating an opportunity for Montana athletes to compete closer to home while continuing to grow Helena\u2019s health and fitness community.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n