Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity will host Greek Physique today at 7 p.m. in the Duke Ellington Ballroom of the Holmes Student Center.

Greek Physique is an amateur body building contest as well as Phi Kappa Sigma’s, aka the Skull’s, philanthropic project. Proceeds go to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, said Patrick Reichel, Phi Kappa Sigma community service and philanthropy chair.

The fraternity hopes to raise at least $1,000 at the event that is now in its 15th year, Reichel said.

This year’s participants include Greek members from a wide range of houses and non-Greek members. Winners receive a trophy, Reichel said.

The competition involves months of weight training and cardiovascular training to cut fat and show muscle definition, Reichel said.

Most competitors work extremely hard to push themselves into shape, which could involve working out from one to three hours a day, Reichel said.

Janna Smallwood, an NIU alumna and Greek Physique competitor, described the process as, “mentally, emotionally and physically draining.”

Smallwood said there are many philosophies about dieting the proper way for a competition such as this, but most involve eating a lot of protein and avoiding carbohydrates.

The process is usually very structured and “not like you go on one of those fad diets,” Smallwood said.

There are different styles of dieting competitors can use including controlling when and how much to eat each day to boost metabolism, Reichel said. Competitors are also shown the proper way to pose, he said.

Participants can work with nutritionists on how to prepare for the competition, but most competitors are often involved with weight training before the competition and do research on their own, Reichel said.

“Most have a very good pulse on what’s safe to do and not safe to do,” Reichel said.

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10 for the front half of the ballroom and $5 for the back half of the ballroom.