Archives for July 2008

One of the best photographers in the biz proves why he is on top with his latest set of images. Terry Goodlad is able to bring out the best in every model and he’s proving it again this month. The newest issue of FLEX features fitness icon Monica Brant in some of the best photos of seen of her in recent years. Check out the gallery on bodysport.com with IFBB pro Melissa Pearo, hands down the best photos I’ve seen of her. This is proof that shooting with a talented photographer does nothing but up your stock in the fitness industry.

Stunning shot of Melissa Pearo by Terry Goodlad.

Despite the announcers calling Ms. Olympia a “he” in the preview, this is pretty funny. Ms. Olympia WIPES OUT!

Do you live in Las Vegas? Maybe you’re not a resident of Las Vegas but you plan on attending the 2008 NPC USAs this weekend. Don’t have tickets yet? This is your chance to win tickets to see ALL of the shows and do it FOR FREE. Bodybuilding.com is coming through for the fans once again!

All you have to do is make your prediction for who will win the Overall Figure Crown on the PRO/AM Bodyspace page. There is a similar contest being held for the men’s but for our purposes this is just for the Figure division. Winners will be picked at 2pm (MDT) on Wednesday July 23rd. Mention HARDBODY.com in your prediction for who will win the overall figure title.

Good luck!

I ran across Fred’s site today and it stood out for it’s clever simplicity. As a designer at heart, I appreciate things that are well designed and more often than not, less is more. Check out the website “Worldwide Fred”. They have some of the coolest little gadgets I’ve ever seen. Below are a few of my favorites from their site.

SHAPE UP!â„¢ wake up with a workout
This dumbbell-style alarm wants to start your day off right! Just set the alarm and in the morning it will buzz until you’ve done 30 reps. Annoying? Maybe. Effective? Unquestionably! Shape Up! is the perfect gift for sleepy-heads. Individual recyclable clear boxes.

TOASTED NOTESâ„¢ the hot buttered desk accessory!
This piping hot slice of toast is pretty hard to miss on your desktop, so you’ll always be able to put your fingers on a buttery little self-stick note when you need one. Old Fred really wanted to call it “toast-it notes” but he just doesn’t want to deal with another lawyer. Whatever happened to America’s sense of humor? Toasted Notes comes with 5 handy pads in each peggable clamshell.

SALT & PEEPERâ„¢ a bird in the hand
This little peeper just wants to please. Turn his head to the right — his eyes change from blue to white and his beak dispenses salt; turn it left — his eyes turn black and of course his beak pours the pepper. Peggable recyclable clear boxes.

You can find out where to purchase these items and more on their site. There’s a ton more that is worth checking out. Design Brilliance at it’s finest.

Co-Founder of BodyWell Nutritional and all around good guy, Tom Richardson passed along the latest happenings that could involve you. BodyWell the makers of the female line, Tight Curves is looking for models. You’ve probably seen their ads products with rising star, Kristal Richardson featured in the pink and black.

Tom tells me they are looking for women to participate in a campaign for the Tight Curves Nutrition line. The photos will be posted on their web site called, “The women of Tight Curves” with eventual plans to have a calendar and other promotional features. They are looking for a, “very fit, attractive look that other women would appreciate.”

So what’s in it for the chosen models?
• A webpage on our website with links to their website if they wish
• A photoshoot with Terry Goodlad
• Clothing
• Supplements
• Compensation for promotional programs that they will be asked to be involved with.

If you are interested send a photo and your information to Tom@bodywellnutrition.com. Several people will be involved in the selection process and there is no limit on the women. If you enter be sure to let Tom know that HARDBODY.com sent ya.

It happens all the time and in every industry. Someone wants to sound more important and relevant then they really are. In the fitness industry it is no different and I’ve been hearing/seeing it become more prevelant. It tends to happen around bigger shows like this weekend’s USA contest, where many false promises and guarantees are thrown around. Here are five red flags to not only keep an eye out for this weekend but also at any time.

RED FLAG #1 – Print Promises
If someone promises you they can get you in a magazine, they are lying. Unless they are the editor of the magazine no one can promise you they will get you published. Huge red flag if someone promises you to get you in print. They can say they will try and can pitch you to a mag but even those with regular columns have their work editing. Their is never a guarantee when it comes to getting published. If someone says they are shooting a cover for a major magazine, they are usually full of it. The magazines more often than not have staff or contracted photographers who do their covers. Some magazines (the lesser circulated ones) will put spec work on covers but if it’s for Oxygen, Muscle and Fitness Hers, Flex, Muscle and Fitness, Inside Fitness, Muscle Mag… chances are you’ve heard of the photographer. Don’t be fooled into thinking Joe Schmoe No Name is going to put you on the cover of a legit magazine when you’ve never seen their work published in the mag before.

RED FLAG #2 – Wannabe “Gurus” / Trainers
Just because you work with a specific trainer doesn’t entitle you to a top placing. Many women will work with specific trainers with the sole intent of thinking it will place them higher. You still need to do the work. On the flip side, be very weary of trainers who want to take credit for competitor’s success. A good trainer will encourage you and may tell others they worked with you however if someone is writing that they are on your team and you didn’t agree to it, red flag. If someone is telling others that without you, you wouldn’t have done well, red flag. You may have gotten there a little quicker with the right guidance but you still did the work. If some one is telling others that they trained you when you did well but they aren’t when you didn’t place well, red flag. There are many wannabe “gurus” and they will latch onto a competitor’s success with the intent of being more relevant in the industry. Talk with competitors who have worked with the trainer both present and past before agreeing to be on any “Team”. Just because a pro or a big name person recommends them doesn’t mean they are great either.

RED FLAG #3 – Not all people who carry big lenses are good photographers
Don’t be fooled this weekend or at any show by guys or girls carrying around cameras with big lenses. The size of the lense doesn’t equate to the quality of the photos. I’ve seen a creative person take better shots with a camera phone then someone sporting a big fancy schmancy camera. Don’t agree to shoot with someone on the spot unless you know who they are, seen their work or were recommended by a close friend who you trust. There will be many people shooting competitors this weekend and many are legit in the industry however some are not. Trust your gut and don’t do anything you’re not comfortable doing. It’s easier to say no, then to regret something and have to deal with it later.

RED FLAG #4 – Name Droppers
If someone is telling you how they photographed this top pro or this top model, be cautious. Most good photographers don’t need to name drop. If you ask them who they’ve shot and they tell you that is different then them approaching you and trying to be super fly with their roster. Just because someone shot a top pro or a model you may admire, doesn’t make them legit. There are plenty of women who regret shooting with a photographer for one reason or another. Some people will try to have credibility by dropping names but again be weary if that is one of the first things out of their mouths.

RED FLAG #5 – Bashers
If someone only bashes people and never has anything positive to say about others, red flag. This is a very image driven industry and many times people place their self worth into their placings or what others think of them. That doesn’t mean you should always be negative or complain. There are plenty of positives and great things about the industry. Watch out for the bashers, they will only bring you down. Watch out for competitors who only bitch about other competitors, their trainers, “politics” or pass blame. Sure shit happens and there is always something we could all complain about however if that is what you constantly hear, red flag. If you ask someone their opinion and it’s not what you want to hear that’s not always being negative. You all know the people I am talking about. You typically see them come out after a show when they didn’t win. It’s not just competitors – it’s photographers, trainers, boyfriends, husbands, family, friends, etc. Watch out for anyone who bashes more then they are positive with their words.

If you have any red flags you’ve experienced and like to share with the readers, post ’em up in the comments field below.