HARDBODY Female Sports, Health & Fitness News
A Love for Sport Life.™
I caught up with one of the shortest women in the IFBB Pro ranks last weeked, Huong Arcinas. Don’t let the height of this woman fool ya. She has one of the most balanced physiques in the pro ranks and stands tall in any line up. Huong tells me she has been practicing her posing and to look for improved stage presence in Columbus.
This is one figure momma to watch at the Fitness International in a few weeks.
I’m in Las Vegas for UFC 94 and have yet to meet a woman who doesn’t drool over the mere mention of Georges St. Pierre. Gotta give the guy props, he carries himself in a very professional manner and is always in top shape. He could hold his own in a middleweight bodybuilding competition. Here’s a photo for all the GSP fans from yesterday’s weigh-in.
You can see more on Bodybuilding.com. Check out the fights tonight on Pay Per View.
All the critics jumping to conclusions about the type of women entering the new bikini division might want to rethink things. I caught up with former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) diva Kristal Marshall at the LA Fit Expo and she tells me she will be entering the NPC Bikini division at the Arnold Classic. Kristal was rock’n the Champion Nutrition booth and excited about getting into the fitness scene.
No stranger to success Kristal has an impressive resume. Kristal has been a competitor in the Miss California pageant, a model on Deal or No Deal, was a Barker Beauty on the Price is Right and appeared in musice videos for 50 Cent. As if that wasn’t enough she’s also a new mother. Watch out bikini contestants, Kristal Marshall is putting y’all on notice. Don’t let the pretty face and hardbody fool ya, she can still lay the smack down. 🙂
Tiffany Forni lost 70lbs in three months! Check out her transformation story on bodybuilding.com. Tiffany made an appearance at the bodybuilding.com booth last weekend at the LA Fit Expo. Most of you know the days can get a bit long and after handing out samples for hours you can get a bit delirious. Ron Avidan and I stopped by the bodybuilding.com booth and weren’t expecting to spot this…
Caption this photo in the comments below. One of the funnier photos you’ll see from the LA Fit Expo weekend.
Do you know which IFBB Figure pro is a flight attendant? Place your guesses in the comments field.
…Rock Baby! Today’s song is from wildman Kid Rock. Bawitdaba is about 10 years old but still another decent tune to crank up in the gym. Just don’t play this version with your office speakers on.
It will be interesting to see how this one unfolds in the next couple years. Yesterday, the UFC announced it would be starting it’s own line of gyms. Is this a step in the right direction or should the UFC stick to what it’s good at, fight productions/promotions? Only time will tell but they won’t be the big dog on the block (like they are in the world of mma) when they break into the gym business. I’m all for anyone or anything promoting health and fitness in a positive manner. If the gyms get more people to workout and get fit, then rock on.
“We’re going to force all these other gyms to take it up to another level,” UFC President Dana White told The Associated Press on Monday. “Just like we have in the fight business, and everyone’s trying to compete with us now, same thing’s going to happen in the fitness industry.”
White said most gyms and health clubs haven’t changed in years, giving the mixed martial arts league an opportunity to attract new fitness customers or others wanting to get different kinds of workouts under the same roof. The gyms aren’t intended for professional or amateur fighters.
No word on whether you’ll be required to wear a TAPOUT t-shirt in order to workout or if you’re AFFLICTION shirts will be ban you from enrolling.
I photograph a number of events throughout the year and the best candid/expo photos are often the goofiest. It’s the funny, unexpected shots that tend to stick out more than the canned, stage shots. Now is your chance to join in the fun. A new section we’ll be posting periodically here on hardbody is, “Caption This”. In the comments field leave share your best caption for the featured photo.
Let’s get things started with this amusing shot with Ron “Yogi” Avidan and Fitness Model Jennifer Celeste. Jennifer was working the Champion Nutrition booth at the LA Fit Expo, where this shot was taken.
Post your caption in the comments below.
I caught up with American Gladiator (Stealth) / IFBB Fitness Pro Tanji Johnson while she was working the Gaspari Nutrition booth at last weekend’s LA Fit Expo. Tanji is just a few short weeks away from taking the stage at the Fitness International in Columbus, Ohio. Like most fitness competitors, she wasn’t giving up what her routine would be. Tanji looked like she was well on track with her conditioning. Stay tuned for more Arnold updates in the coming weeks.
A few hardbodies caused some commotion at the Miss America pageant. A story described the contest as, “almost exclusively by Amazonian gym buddies with seriously sculpted figures.” A number of the contestants were seen rock’n more muscular physiques than in the past. The writer goes a bit over the top with some of the assements but overall it’s great to see fitness making headlines in the mainstream.
Check out the full story here.
A little something different today… Path by Apocalyptica.
Check out the behind the scenes photos on FLEXonline.com. The winners of the Bikini Model Search contest are featured in the current issue of FLEX magazine. You can catch a glimpse of the shoot and more on the FLEX web site.
The competitive season kicks off today with the IRONMAN / LA Fit Expo. A number of sponsors, fans and competitors are in Los Angeles this weekend for the event. If you’re in the area and want a schedule of events, check it out here.
I’m in LA and will be checking in periodically over the weekend with updates from the event. IFBB Figure Pro Houng Arcinas made the trip down from Sacramento last night. IFBB rookie Amy O’Neil will be in attendance working a booth. Ms. Figure Olympia Jennifer Gates has arrived and will be working the Pro Fights Supplements booth. Former WWE Diva Kristal Marshall is in the house with fiancé Bobbie Lashley (former WWE star as well). The two of them will be appearing at the Champion Nutrition Booth. IFBB Figure Pro Rosa-Marie Romero will be at the San Nutrition booth, coming stateside all the way from Australia.
Check back here and at Bodybuilding.com for more updates.
Today’s song of the day comes from Quiet Riot with “Cum On Feel the Noize“. (Yes, that’s how it’s actually spelled in the title). WTF?
Rock it tonight!
There is still chance to cast your vote in the Bodyspace / IRONMAN spokesmodel search. 10 finalists have spent the last couple days in LA doing a number of events in the final round. 5 women and 5 men were chosen out of thousands of applicants. Tomorrow night the one male and one female winner will be announced LIVE on the bodybuilding.com IRONMAN webcast. You can cast your votes on bodybuilding.com for you who think should win.
I ran into one of the finalists and hardbody.com reader, Allison Either tonight. She was excited to be part of the final group and hopes to hear her name announced as the winner tomorrow night. This Canadian cutie has been around the fitness scene awhile and thinks she has what it takes to win. I can’t say I disagree with her. She won last year’s Arnold Amateur fitness and will be competing in it again this year. Good luck Allison and all the other finalists.
To see more photos from the final round photo shoot click here.
Here’s a first look at a few photos you won’t see in the newest issue of FLEX magazine. FLEX once again features one of the leading ladies in the IFBB. Check out these behind-the-scenes photos from the shoot with Meriza DeGuzman and photographer, Pavell Ythjall. You can see the full feature and all the hot shots in the March 2009 issue of FLEX magazine. Props to everyone involved, nice work.
Ya gotta love the 80s. Twisted Sister’s I Wanna Rock is today’s song of the day. Rumor has it a fitness competitor will be rock’n the Arnold stage with an 80s theme.
I WANNA ROCK!
I’m still trying to figure out what the hell Twitter is all about and how it’s beneficial. Do any of you use Twitter and if so why is it what all the cool kids are doing these days?
You can follow me at http://twitter.com/liftstudios. Just don’t ask me what it means to be following me. You can also follow Muscle & Fitness‘ tweets.
Props to Carla for a job well done. She appeared on KWGN to talk about staying fit while pregnant. Check out the video below for her segment.
Her new DVD “Training for Two” is available for purchase on her web site.
Actress Rhona Mitra has been appearing on a number morning show programs to promote the new Underworld movie. Every time she is interviewed she talks about the variety of workouts she went through to prepare for the role. It looks like the workouts have paid as she’s buffed up a bit since her days on The Practice and Boston Legal.
Anyone plan on checking this movie out? It opens tomorrow.
Many IFBB Pros are taking advantage of their professional status and holding women’s only camps. Many women use these camps for motivation and information. Each camp offers a little something different and held in a variety of locations. The biggest key (aside from your budget) is to finding one that suits you and your needs. Some pros like Monica Brant and Jen Hendershott have proven camps while others are just getting started. IFBB Pro Figure competitor, Jessica Wright has turned her boot camps into a full-time business in Indiana. She may not get a great deal of exposure in the fitness magazines but this woman has found a successful model for her camps. Trainers Mike Davies and Kim Oddo often hold camps with pros they train as well as by themselves.
Here’s a few of the camps put on by IFBB Pros. Have you attended one of these camps? If so let us know how it went. Do you have a women’s only camp and it’s not mentioned here? Drop me a note and I’ll add it to the list.
CAMPING WITH IFBB PROS
If you’re new to the industry or looking to gain insight at what it takes to be an IFBB pro consider attending one of these camps. This is your chance to learn from some of the industry’s top pros. All of these camps are designed specifically for women and are women only events.
Adela Garcia
3 x Fitness Olympia Champion
2 x Fitness International Champion
O.F.F. Challenge Camp
Next Camp – Jacksonville, Florida – March 13-15, 2009
More Info: www.adelafitness.com
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Monica Brant
Fitness Olympia Champion
Fitness Icon
F.E.M Camp
Next Camp – Pensacola, Florida -Â March 20-22, 2009
More Info: www.femcamp.net
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Jen Hendershott
2 x Fitness Olympia Champion
Fitness International Champion
Phat Camp
Next Camp – Phoenix, AZ – Jan. 20 – Feb 1, 2009
More Info: www.getphatwithjen.com
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Julie Lohre
Top IFBB Fitness Competitor
FitBody Camps
Next Camp – Feb. 27-28, 2009 – Cincinnati, OH
More Info: www.julielohre.com
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Jessica Wright
IFBB Figure Competitor
Indy Adventure Boot Camp
Next Camp – Multiple locations and times in Indiana
More Info: www.indyadventurebootcamp.com
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Shannon Dey
IFBB Fitness Competitor & NPC show promoter
Bombshell Fitness Academy
Next Camp – Multiple locations and times
More Info: bombshellfitness.com
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus’ Face Down is today’s song of the day. Another decent song for doing cardio.
Thanks for all the suggestions you continue to email. Much appreciated.
Trish Stratus got her start as a Fitness Model and parlayed her modeling success into bigger ventures, most notably the WWE. Still in top shape Trish is featured on the current cover of INSIDE FITNESS magazine. INSIDE FITNESS is a Canadian fitness magazine published by Terry Frendo. Terry is doing a great job of putting out solid content with clean design.
If you’re in the Toronto area Tuesday, January 27, 2009 you’ll have the unique opportunity to meet Trish Stratus. Check it out and if you go send us your photo from the event. We’ll post it up here on hardbody.
Trish’s newest venture is Stratusphere Yoga, a yoga studio that offers multiple classes on a daily basis. A big shout out to all our Canadian visitors. Facebookers you can find the Inside Fitness Magazine group here.
IFBB Pro Adela Garcia has a new look to her web site. Check out the new site design and click around to see what’s happening in the world of Chica.
Earlier I asked which IFBB Pro had a pet raccoon. A couple of people guessed it correctly and yes, it was none other than Michelle “Momma” Flake. I caught up with Momma Flake this week to get a photo of Roxy. It was then I learned that Roxy recently had a heart problem, fell ill and had to be put to sleep. As any pet owner would be, Michelle was devastated.
Next time I’ll check on the pet’s health before asking a trivia question.
An epic song for all you big 80s peeps. Scorpions’ Rock You Like A Hurricane is pretty bad ass.
Throw on your legwarmers, slip on the jelly shoes and bust out the hair spray!
The United States of America has a new president, Barack Obama. Today, for the first time in my life, I was inspired by a president. Regardless of your gender, skin color or political views, you can’t help but recognize an individual with charisma and a rare ability to motivate. The new president did exactly that for millions of people across the globe today. There are many challenges ahead for him and the rest of the world but it was nice for one day to take a step back and recharge the life batteries.
Here’s to hope and a prosperity in the years ahead.
