Archives for October 2010

IFBB Border States Pro Figure Results


Another IFBB Pro Figure event is in the books and Teresa Anthony took home her first pro win. Teresa has found her stride since placing seventh at the 2010 Figure Olympia. She was in the runner-up position by one point at last week’s Houston Pro and she scored a unanimous victory in San Diego. Felicia Romero was on her heels in the second place position by two points. Fan favorite, Ava Cowan moved into an Olympia qualifying spot with her third place finish. If she can tighten up just a bit, look for her to be a threat to the top spot.

Rounding out the top five was Deena Walsh and Kristin Nunn. Kristin continues to be a contender in every show she enters but is still looking for that Olympia qualification. As I predicted in my Border States Figure Preview, Deena Walsh was the dark horse. She proved to be a worthy pro by placing fourth in her pro debut.

IFBB Border States Pro Results
1. Teresa Anthony*
2. Felicia Romero*
3. Ava Cowan*
4. Deena Walsh
5. Kristin Nunn
6. Crystal Chiles
7. Natalie Waples
8. Sabrina Taylor
9. Carin Hawkins
10. Michelle Bates
11. Krissy Chin
12. Amy Lee Martin
13. Kiana Phi
14. Shala Singer
15. Julia Aragon
16. Melanie Burger
16. Mandy Henderson
16. Christina Mehling
16. Mindi O’Brien
16. Masae Tagami

*Qualify for the 2011 Figure Olympia



Sports Stylist® Hardbody Tip – Get Your Shine On


Cindy, The Sports Stylist®, has a great tip for getting your shine on. Take note of the best way to glow for your next photo shoot.

If you arrive on set and the photographer needs you to do your own “shine” to get your skin glowing, the best products you to use are: baby oil, Neutragena body oil, and any sort of lotion that has shea butter in it. All these products (used lightly) will make the skin glisten and sheen. What you don’t want is a product that has glitter or adds pink or white “highlights” to the skin – these all look very unnatural on camera. Make sure once you oil up you don’t rub your hands over your skin and then touch your clothing as it will show up on film.

Check out more styling tips on Cindy’s Blog.



Hardbody Profile – IFBB Pro Krissy Chin


We caught up with IFBB Figure Pro Krissy Chin on the heels of the Border States. Check out with California Krissy had to say as we put her in the Hardbody hot seat.

Where are you living now?
I am currently living in Temecula, Ca and I absolutely LOVE it here!

A birdie told me you’re not part of Team Gaspari, is that true?
I am a proud member of Team Gaspari. I was actually invited on by Rich and the team last December. The same week I received an invite to the 2010 Arnold. You can find me along with the rest of the Team Gaspari Athletes at…

http://www.gasparinutrition.com/teamgaspari/

You can also follow my Team Gaspari Blog:
http://www.gasparinutrition.com/teamgaspari/krissychin/

To help clarify, at this time-Gaspari Nutrition does sponsor me and I am a part of Team Gaspari. However, I am not under an “exclusive contract.”

What product would you recommend for women, that are you personal favs?
Honestly, I truly LOVE and use almost the entire line of Gaspari products. They are that GOOD. My top 2 personal favs, which I would highly recommend to women are:

– IntraPro – our whey protein isolate (I confess I am an IntraPro addict!)

– Spirodex-one of our newest product releases, which helps with enhancing mood, increasing thermogenesis, suppressing appetite and it also enhances mental alertness and focus (my lifesaver during contest prep timeJ)

You took some time away from the Olympia and followed it up with the Houston Pro. What areas are you focusing for the Figure stage?
My coach/trainer Kim Oddo and I have been working very hard this year in trying to streamline my overall package and to tone down my muscularity for the figure stage. We also worked on bringing up the shape and size of my glutes and legs (which we accomplished-yeah!), which have been my weak areas in the past. A personal goal of mine as an IFBB athlete is to continually refine and improve the package I present on that stage each and every time I compete.

What’s your goal for this weekend’s Border States show?
Truthfully, my goal for this weekend’s Border States Show is to present my best package to date and to hopefully move up into the top 3 and qualify for my 3rd Olympia.  I landed in the top 3 here last year in San Diego and I am hoping to repeat.

Would you ever consider competing in the women’s physique division if it meant you could add some size instead of “downsize”?
I know there has been a lot of recent talk and speculation about the women’s physique division.  I am going to have an open mind about the division and wait to hear what the NPC/IFBB set as criteria for this particular division.  It sounds great so far because it will open up another avenue for women to compete just as the bikini division did in the NPC/IFBB.

What opportunities have come your way from competing in the NPC/IFBB that you may not have seen had you not competed?

I am in my 7th year of competing with the NPC/IFBB and let me just say I am so THANKFUL because it has been and continues to be such an amazing and incredible journey! Competing in the NPC/IFBB has given me numerous opportunities that most likely would not have been possible have I not competed.  Some of these opportunities include: shooting with some of the top photographers in the industry including you of course;), being featured in mainstream fitness magazines in supplement ads, featured as a rising star in Ironman Magazine (Thanks to you- Isaac and Lonnie T.), featured in Status Magazine’s Supermodel Calendar, obtaining sponsorships from Pro Tan and from supplement companies & now being with one of the top supplement companies-Gaspari Nutrition, formerly co-hosting a radio show, was wallpaper of the week on Bodybuilding.com, being interviewed on air as well as online…so many opportunities, so much to be thankful for due to competing in the NPC/IFBB.  However, one of the best opportunities is having the opportunity to have met and to continually meet so many incredible athletes and people within the organization/industry as well as many people who are family/friends/fans/supporters of the industry.

Where can people find more info on ya, to stay updated?
My website: http://www.krissychin.com/
My Team Gaspari Athlete’s Page/Blog: http://www.gasparinutrition.com/teamgaspari/krissychin/
My Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/krissy.chin
My Twitter: http://twitter.com/KRISSYCHIN

Thanks Krissy & good luck.
Thank you Isaac and Hardbody.com for this interview!



Live Hardbody Coverage of the 2010 Border States


Follow all the action from 2010 NPC / IFBB Border States. Ron Avidan will be covering the action for us this weekend and tweeting from the event.

Ron will be using @RonAvidan. Those of you tweeting about this weekend’s event, use the hashtag #borderstates. You can see what everyone is writing about related to the 2010 Border States at hashtags.org/borderstates.

If you’re not on Twitter, you can stay on this page and refresh for the live call-outs and Ron’s insight through out the weekend.




2010 NPC Texas State Championships Photos & Results


The 2010 NPC Texas State was held in conjunction with the IFBB Houston Pro Figure & Bikini contest. The results are in, photos are post and a few potential stars are on their way to the National NPC level.


Click here to get the full results from the 2010 NPC Texas State Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure and Bikini competition.

Photos from the show are available for purchase here.

If you were a competitor and would like to order the CD of your images, the form is available here. (pdf)

Bodybuilding.com also has photo coverage of the event posted.



IFBB Women’s Bodybuilding Rep: “Moving in the Right Direction with a Positive Message”


IFBB Women’s Bodybuilding Represenatative, Betty Pariso issued a statement today, regarding the Women’s Physique Division. The details of the new division are still be ironed out but the interwebs have been all a buzz about the new division. It’s said to be for women who aren’t muscular enough to be competitive in bodybuilding but too muscular for figure. The division is still be explored and official word from the NPC/IFBB has yet to be released.

Betty Pariso with her FLEX award at the 2010 Olympia.
Photo by Ron Avidan / Getbig.com

Betty recently retired from competitive bodybuilding but she is very active in promoting shows with her husband Ed. Betty shared, “First let me say that Ed & I have added a 2nd Pro Women’s Contest to our Event Schedule in 2011. We will be bringing FIBO / Europa to the USA and we have included Pro Women Bodybuilding to the line-up of events. It will be held in Chicago – September 30, 2 weeks after the 2011 Olympia.”

Betty had this to share today…

MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITH A POSITIVE MESSAGE

TIME LINE:

April 2007
In 2007 I had created a overall program called Women’s Physique Division , and presented it to the IFBB Committee, and at that time it was rejected. I felt at the time, and still do that there is a big niche that we are missing…women that want to train and build some muscle.  Currently, we are missing a huge market, somewhere between the current level of Women’s Bodybuilding and Figure. Women that want muscle, just not to the excess…that is what I keep hearing from so many Women that they want. The progression of Women’s Bodybuilding over the years may have discouraged many from competition in our sport.

April 2010
I made the decision one month after the Arnold to retire from Women’s Bodybuilding. I was not tired of Women’s Bodybuilding, Competing or Training, but had decided I would not do what it takes to compete at that level of muscularity. Ed knew competing for me was so much of who I am…so we looked around and the only thing left out there for me was Figure. Although Figure is smaller than I wanted to be, I was excited with this new challenge, and it became a fun new goal for me that kept me motivated to change my body. I dropped 30 pounds in 3 months and of course loved the clothes I could fit into !

August 2010
Bob (Bob Chicherillo, the IFBB Pro Athlete’s Rep) contacts me and ask me to join and support a somewhat similar proposal that he too named “Women’s Physique Division”. I was happy to be involved and will lend my support and hopefully be able to give some ideas and direction. At this time the exact criteria is not known. You have heard directly from Steve Weinberger that Women’s Bodybuilding is not going anywhere.

MY THOUGHTS:
As a woman…I do feel in my heart it is the right direction and message regardless. I am always about being inclusive. I know some of you will not fit into this new category, but as it currently stands, many do not fit in either Figure or Pro Women’s Bodybuilding. So we have left out a huge group of women that will now have somewhere to go.

As I get older, and hopefully wiser I have always been concerned about the message we are sending to the young women coming up in the sport of female bodybuilding. The image that is winning at the highest level is a body image that is causing many women to make very difficult choices or drop out of the sport of Bodybuilding. For a lot of Women, some muscle on a woman is very beautiful…no question, but we are way over on the muscularity end of what many female bodybuilders originally liked about the sport and wanted for themselves.  If this new division proves to be successful in the NPC, then these women will now have the Women’s Physique Division in which to compete.

Women’s Bodybuilding has evolved to the highest level of muscularity, and it has created a huge void between Figure and Women’s Bodybuilding. Hopefully I will have some input in
developing the criteria and this new division lands somewhere in the middle.

Sincerely,
Betty Pariso
IFBB Women’s Bodybuilding Rep
IFBB Promoter

For more information on the FIBO / Europa contest visit, www.visionstarinc.com.



IFBB Pro League Fitness Scoring Change


The IFBB Pro League has issued another note regarding the IFBB Pro League Fitness division Beginning with the 2010 Fort Lauderdale Cup, Fitness will now be scored 1/3 on the phyisque (two piece swimsuit) round and 2/3 of the score will be the 2-minute Fitness Routine. The 2-minute fitness routine scores will be doubled.

This is in addition to the October 18th, 2010 Advisory Notice on the Fitness Routine – Mandatory Movements:
1. Pushup (of any kind)
2. High Kicks
3. Straddle Hold
4. Side Split

Source: http://www.ifbbpro.com/news/2010-advisory-notice-102710/

NOTE: This will also apply to the NPC beginning in 2011.



Olympian Lindsey Vonn Joins the Oakley Family


Lindsey Vonn, one of the best female athletes in the world, has joined forces with top sports brand Oakley. It’s great to see women getting endorsements in the sports industry. Props to Oakley for recognizing female athletes and supporting them.

PRESS RELEASE via oakley.com.

WORLD-CLASS SKIER LINDSEY VONN CHOOSES OAKLEY GOGGLES AND SUNGLASSES
Alpine Champion Relies on Oakley’s Unbeatable Performance Technology

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif., Oct. 26, 2010 – Oakley, Inc. today announced that Lindsey Vonn, the most dominant female skier in the world, has chosen to rely on the premium technologies of Oakley goggles and sunglasses to further her extraordinary skiing career. A devotee of Oakley performance and style, Vonn will be joining the company’s global women’s eyewear team. With Lindsey’s World Championship titles, World Cup victories and Olympic gold, the partnership pairs the best in women’s alpine skiing with the best in optics.

“I am thrilled to be with a brand so passionate about optics and protection,” said Lindsey Vonn. “Oakley meets all my needs with a range of lens tints, and so much more. Medals are decided by hundredths of a second, so I need assurance that my vision is perfect every time I compete, no matter what the conditions. That’s why Oakley was the obvious choice, and I wouldn’t think of entering a competition with anything less.”

“We are excited to have Lindsey join a team of world-class athletes that depend on our optics to compete at their best,” said Scott Bowers, Oakley Senior VP of Marketing. “She represents unrivaled skill and unique style, and that combination makes her a perfect fit for the Oakley brand.”

Bowers added, “Lindsey has chosen to rely on Oakley optical technology, and this aligns with our recent agreement with the U.S. Ski Team and our association with the U.S. Olympic Committee. We are thrilled to rejoin the U.S. Alpine pool as a supplier of premium performance products. Being involved once again with alpine ski racing and the World Cup adds to an already deep Oakley legacy in the many disciplines of skiing.”

Oakley High Definition Optics® (HDO®) is a collection of optical technologies engineered with the demands of athletes like Lindsey in mind. HDO provides superior clarity, unrivaled impact protection and 100% UV filtering on and off the hill. Oakley offers a full spectrum of lens tints that allow athletes to precisely match optical performance with environmental conditions, and Lindsey will take full advantage of these innovations in World Cup competition and beyond.

Lindsey’s talent was apparent at an early age and she began skiing competitively before she was 10 years old. Today she competes in five alpine ski disciplines including downhill, slalom, giant slalom, super G and women’s super combined. In doing so, she has earned two Olympic medals and achieved 33 International Skiing Federation (FIS) World Cup victories including three consecutive titles (2008, 2009 and 2010). Most recently, Lindsey was awarded two 2010 ESPYs for “Best Female Olympic Athlete” and “Best Female Athlete.”

As an elite athlete, Lindsey relies on Oakley products, and this further underscores the superiority of unparalleled innovations that have rewarded the company’s decades in optical research and development. With her choice of Oakley for performance goggles and sunglasses, Lindsey has made a commitment to be part of the Oakley family through the next Winter Olympics and beyond.

Visit Oakley.com to learn more about the company’s performance innovations and to view updates on Lindsey’s career including competition results, a dedicated profile and more.

About Oakley, Inc.
Established in 1975 and headquartered in Southern California, Oakley is one of the leading sports brands in the world. The holder of more than 600 patents, Oakley is continually seeking problems, solving them with inventions and wrapping those inventions in art. This philosophy has made Oakley one of the most iconic and inimitable brands on the market, with innovations that world-class athletes around the globe depend on to compete at the highest level possible. Oakley is famed for its insuperable lens technologies such as High Definition Optics® (HDO®) which is incorporated into all Oakley sun and prescription eyewear, and goggles. Oakley has extended its leadership position as the world’s leading sports eyewear brand into apparel, footwear and accessories collections. Laser focused on the consumer, Oakley has both men’s and women’s product lines that target Sports Performance, Active and Lifestyle consumers. Oakley is a subsidiary of Luxottica Group (NYSE: LUX; MTA: LUX). Additional information is available at Oakley.com.

— Lindsey photo via Oakley.com



Should Energy Drinks Be Regulated?


ESPN’s E:60 produced a piece on Energy Drinks being marketed to young athletes. The energy drink industry is a huge, booming business (7 BILLION, yes with a “b” according to Beverage Digest). that is mainly targeted towards young men. Are energy drink companies to blame when kids consume too many? What about the parents responsibility or will kids do drink them anyway? It’s an interesting video worth watching.


Jack Owoc of VPC on E:60

ESPN interviewed Jack Owoc, CEO of VPX Sports Nutrition for the segment. VPX makes the popular energy drink, REDLINE, for the piece.  I agree with Jack when he shares, “If one is good five is better” when it comes to kids and energy drinks. The same could be said for many adults as well.

Jack goes on to say, “They should disallow energy drinks to be marketed to kids. Regulated also in the sense that you can’t sell to minors just like you can’t sell cigarettes. So let’s just lump energy drinks in with that and say you can’t sell energy drinks either to minors.” That’s an interesting comment and one I didn’t expect to hear from him. I’m not sure I agree with regulating energy drinks. In my opinion, it would only make kids want them more. You always want what you can’t have and kids would then turn to their older buddies to hook them up with energy drinks.

Where would the cut off age be… 18? 21? When is one deemed responsible enough to consume energy drinks?

I think the responsibility goes back to the makers of the energy drinks. They should be regulated from the amount of caffeine they put in each container. There have been several occasions where I’ve consumed an energy drink and felt cracked out. Did I read the label? No. More often than not there are more than one serving in each can/bottle. Is it the consumer’s responsibility to read the label and see the number of servings before drinking? Ya, sure but companies also know that most people won’t crack open a can and only drink 1/2 of it.

One look on bodybuilding.com’s Energy drink listing you can see a number of examples of this. Note the serving size and amount of servings per container. Some have 2 servings for a 2.5 ounce bottle!

The ESPN E:60 segment:

They are marketed as performance enhancers and used by young athletes before games and workouts, but just how safe are energy drinks? In a 7-month investigation, E:60 spoke to teenagers who have suffered everything from headaches to seizures and heart issues that require surgery.

What do you think? Sound off in the comments below.

{democracy:172}

** Update – ESPN’s Tom Ferrey goes more in-depth with the story and gets more input from Jack Owoc.



Video: BSN with IFBB Bikini Pro Vanessa Campbell


IFBB Bikini Pro Vanessa Campbell is featured in the newest BSN video. Check it out.



IFBB Border States Pro Figure Preview


This weekend 22 IFBB Figure Pros will take the stage in San Diego for the Border States Pro. Promoter Jon Lindsay also has a NPC event that will feature over 180 competitors. This is going to be a very competitive show. Our West Coast correspondent, Ron “Yogi” Avidan will be there covering the action.

This show has twice as many pros as last weekend’s Houston Pro and will be a competitive group or IFBB Figure Pros. One point separated Courtney West and Teresa Anthony at the Houston Pro. Can the rookie West make it two in a row? She’ll need to be a little sharper than last week to leave victorious in this line up. She’ll face top contender Felicia Romero and a deeper line up.

Felicia Romero is coming off a fifth place showing at the 2010 Figure Olympia and presented one of her best looks to date. If she brings that look to the stage she’ll be top three. If she isn’t on point and brings the look we saw earlier in the year at the Phoenix Pro she’ll be on the outside looking in on the top spots. Ava Cowan returns to the stage and is one of the fan favorites. Can she become one of the judges’ favorites?


**Update: Houston Pro Figure winner Courtney West will be sitting out this show due to the demands of college. She hopes to get an Arnold (Figure International) invite as her next contest. She’s more than proved she’s worthy of that.

This definitely makes the show a bit more interesting for the top spots.

{democracy:171}

The Hardbody Breakdown:

Teresa Anthony – Teresa has found her groove and should find herself in the top call-out. She’s still looking for her first pro win. It could come at this contest but it won’t come easy. She’ll face a tougher line up than the Houston show where she finished second. Look for her to be in the top five here.

Julia Aragon – Julia will be making her pro debut after winning her class at the 2010 NPC USAs. She’ll need to come in a bit tighter from the backside if she wants to hang with the top pros. She has nice shape and if she can present it well she’ll have a successful debut.

Michelle Bates – Michelle will be making her pro debut after winning the tall class at the 2010 NPC Nationals. Michelle has a nice look and it we’ll have to see how she stacks up against the pros.

Melanie Burger – Melanie took home the NPC Masters Nationals Figure 35+ Overall title a few weeks ago and will make her debut at this contest. She battled it out in the NPC ranks for the past few years and will start her journey in the pro ranks this weekend.

Crystal Chiles – Cystal will look to move up from her 9th place showing at the Phoenix Pro. She was 13th at this show last year.

Krissy Chin – Krissy is on that bubble where she might be “too muscular” for what the judges are looking for but it all depends on who she’s compared to. She continues to refine her physique and depending who she stands next to she either holds her own or over powers the others, specifically in her delts. She’ll look to move up from her Houston showing and return to the Olympia stage.

Ava Cowan – Ava returns to the stage in hopes of qualifying for the 2011 Olympia. She came close her debut at the Jacksonville Pro and will have her hands full here. Can she be in the mix? Certainly but it won’t be easy. She’ll have to be at her best to land in a top three spot on Saturday night.

Carin Hawkins – Carin will also look to move up from her Houston showing. She’ll need to be a little bit tighter than last week but could be a top five contender here.

Mandy Henderson – The shorty from Cali will be making her IFBB pro debut. Mandy battled it out in the NPC ranks and was consistently in the top five from show to show before finally turning pro at this year’s NPC USA. If she comes in tight she can hold her own. She’ll have to nail her posing from the back, which has plagued her at times, and she’ll need to be in her best condition. Mandy will be up against a tall group here but could be a contender if on point.

Amy Lee Martin – Amy took home the overall NPC USA trophy in 2008 but has yet to find her groove in the pro ranks. She’s taken some time off and we’ll see if her improvements are enough to put her in the mix.

Christina Mehling – Christina was out of the top 15 in this year’s Europa Super Show and it will be tough for her to land in the mix of a top spot here. Nothing is impossible but given the depth of the line-up she’ll likely be on the outside looking in on the top five.

Kristin Nunn – Nunnchuck has improved her physique over the months and will look to be in the mix here. She can be a top five competitor and has been in the mix before. I look for her to definitely be in the top two callouts but where is a toss up.

Mindi O’Brien – We haven’t seen Mindi on stage since she limped off during her 2009 Fitness Olympia routine. Mindi has always been known as having a more muscular physique and unless she’s totally transformed her body since the injury I don’t see her being a top contender here. We’ll have to wait and see what physique she brings for her cross over to Figure.

Kiana Phi – Kiana has nice shape and will be making her pro debut after turning pro at the 2010 Team Universe. She’ll make the trip from Oregon to try her hand in the big leagues.

Felicia Romero – Felicia showed one of her best looks to date at the 2010 Olympia and nearly landed in fourth but had to settle for fifth. If she brings a similar physique to the San Diego stage she’ll be a contender for the top spot. She’s improved her legs and her physique is more balanced than in year’s past. As long as we don’t see the physique she brought to the Phoenix Pro we should see her in the top call-out. A fresh and rest Felicia could be the biggest threat to this lineup.

Shala Singer – Shala will be making her pro debut after turning pro at this year’s Team Universe contest. She has nice shape and we’ll have to see what physique she brings to the pro stage to see if she’s a contender.

Masae Tagami – Masae brings a good deal of muscle to the stage and will face an uphill battle to be in the mix here. She placed 10th at this year’s California Pro and will hope to improve upon it here.

Sabrina Taylor – She was on the outside of the top 10 at the 2010 Phoenix Pro and will hope to improve upon that showing here. She took will face an uphill battle to get into the mix with this line up.

Deena Walsh – Deena could be one to watch to shake things up in her pro debut. She found success on this stage as a NPC competitor and won her class at the 2010 NPC USA, earning her pro status. She’ll look to avenge her loss to Courtney West in the overall title at that contest. She has a nice look at I look for her to be a dark horse in this line up.

Natalie Waples – Natalie suffered an injury which prompted her to compete in the Pro Bikini division. She’ll return to the Figure stage in hopes of being in the top spots. As one of the smaller competitors, she’ll have her work cut out for her. I found her physique more fitting for the bikini division  and could have moved up with improved presentation. We’ll see how she fairs in her return/

Courtney West – Courtney will look to continue her winning ways from her pro debut in Houston. She was very good but will need to be a bit sharper with her conditioning and presentation with this line up to repeat as the champ. I look for her to be in the top three again but to hold off Teresa Anthony and Felicia Romero she’ll need to be at her all time best. Can she do it? Certainly but it will be a test of things to come as doing shows back to back, along with traveling isn’t easy.

Stacy Wig – Unless Stacy stripped a ton of muscle off her frame since the 2010 New York Pro she will be relegated to the dreaded tied for 16th spot. She will likely be the most muscular competitor in the entire line-up and I don’t see it working to her favor.

Visit MuscleContest.com for the NPC Schedule of events and to purchase your tickets.

Event Location:
Scottish Rite Event Center
1895 Camino Del Rio S.
San Diego, California 92108

Event Hotel:
Sheraton Mission Valley
1433 Camino Del Rio S.
San Diego, CA 92108
Reservations: Online reservations or call 800-325-3535

Event Day/Time:
Saturday, Oct 30th at 11:00am Prejudging
Saturday, Oct 30th at 6:30pm Finals

Discounted Ticket Prices:
Discounted ticket prices for Children, Seniors and ACTIVE Military. (Must show military ID at box office.)
Children that will NOT occupy a seat are free.
Available for purchase at box office only.

Schedule of Events:
Saturday, Oct 30th 11:00 am – Athlete brief followed by check-ins. Scottish Rite Center
Saturday, Oct 30th 11:00am – Prejudging Scottish Rite Center
Saturday, Oct 30th 6:30pm – Finals for all classes Scottish Rite Center



IFBB Houston Pro Bikini Review


The IFBB Houston Pro Bikini had a relatively small turn out and I’m surprised more women didn’t throw their heels into the mix. The show had good lighting, a great venue and it was a chance to qualify for the 2011 Bikini Olympia. Promoter Lee Thompson put on a top notch event and one that deserves more support from the pros.

The Hardbody Breakdown:

The Texas cutie with spunk and sass, Shelsea Montes cruised to her first IFBB Pro Bikini win. I’ve seen her a bit tighter with her conditioning but she was the clear winner in this line up. She was confident, comfortable and presented with ease. Shelsea has come a long way since turning pro and proved that the little details like hair, makeup and presentation can really help a competitor shine.

Natalie Pennington has exotic good looks however I wouldn’t have had her in the top three. It’s nothing personal against her as she does have a nice look from the front. When you turn the competitors around Natalie doesn’t have much a booty. Personally I would have had her in 4-6 range as I feel a competitor should be competitive from the front and the back. She ended up in the runner-up position and will head back to the Olympia next Fall.

Vanessa Prebyl presented her best look to date and it earned her an Olympia qualification. I would have had Vanessa in second but there’s no shame in third. She has a good look and presented her physique better than she had in the past. Job well done.

Michelle Lamb ditched her Detroit Pro suit for a much better one and it definitely helped. She’s one of the smaller competitors on stage and has a great backside. Fourth place was a justifiable spot fo her in this line-up. If she can put on a little size to her frame and continue to refine her presentation she could crack the top three.

Barbara tied with Michelle for fourth but was relagated to fifth in her pro debut. I would have placed Barbara in third and contending with Vanessa for a second place spot. She had the looks and body to do well in the pro ranks. She had one of the best booties, if not thee best, in the entire show. Could it have been a little tighter? Sure but I still would have her in the top three. Look for her to be in the mix for any show she enters.

Beth White improved from her previous outings and was competitive here. If she presents her physique a bit better with more poise and confidence she could move up.

Janet Harding. Oh Janet, what do we do with you? She’s persistent and has entered more pro shows than any other competitor. Will she ever crack the top 3? Probably not but she continues to bring her best and if she’s having fun reaching her own personal goals then rock on.

Khanh has a great physique and has found a suit cut that conceals her often over-powering boobs. I’m not sure there’s much more she can do to improve and it will be a constant battle for her to crack the top spots. It’s no knock on her it’s just a testament to how competitive the bikini division has become.

Visit Bodybuilding.com for contest photos.

IFBB Houston Pro Bikini results:
1. Shelsea Montes*
2. Natalie Pennington*
3. Vanessa Prebyl*
4. Michelle Lamb
5. Barbara Bolotte
6. Beth White
7. Janet Harding
8. Khanh Nguyen

*Olympia Qualified
** Tie



IFBB Houston Pro Figure Review


The 2010 Houston Pro Figure turned out to be a showcase of future figure stars and veterans alike. When the dust settled it was Courtney West who proved to have no problems in Houston.

The 2010 Houston Pro Figure line up had women sport’n a little more muscle than we’d seen in prior shows. Courtney West, Teresa Anthony and Monica Specking were in a tight race for the top spot. The show ended up being decided by one point with Houston’s own Courtney West getting the nod. I don’t think you’d get many arguments from those in attendance if Teresa would have left with her first pro win. Teresa’s conditioning was a little sharper than Courtney’s but both looked worthy of the top call-out. Courtney showed an act of kindness rarely seen in an industry often filled with selfishness. She donated her entire winnings to help fight Breast Cancer.

Monica Specking showcased great lines, a tiny waist and was still on point coming off her overall win at the NPC Nationals, just one week prior to the contest. She has the best shape in the entire line up and continues to improve. I look for her to get an invite to the Arnold (Figure International) as past NPC National champs have in the past. She proved she can hold her own in the big league and qualified for the Olympia her first time out.

Rounding out the top five were Katina Maistrellis and Kim Sheppard. Katina was in top form and narrowly missed out on a return spot to the Figure Olympia. Kim Sheppard made her pro debut on the same stage she earned pro status. Look for her to be a contender to the top five every time she enters. She’s balanced, poised and has a great look.

IFBB Houston Pro Figure Results:
1. Courtney West
2. Teresa Anthony
3. Monica Specking
4. Katina Maistrellis
5. Kim Sheppard
6. Amy Vetter
7. Carin Hawkin
8. Krissy Chin
9. Rosalind Vanterpool
10. Raechelle Chase
11. Sandie Ward

Check out photos from the show on Bodybuilding.com.



Madonna to Open Hard Candy Fitness in Mexico City


Madonna has partnered with manager Guy Oseary and New Evolution Venture (NEV) to open Hard Candy Fitness. Mark Mastrov, founder of 24 Hour Fitness and chairman of NEV, met with Madonna two years ago to discuss her vision and now it’s coming to life. The first gym is slated to open on November 29th and is 30,00 square feet. They are planning to open 10 more locations around the world.

“Madonna’s world tours have taken us to many of our favorite cities around the world. We are looking forward to opening Hard Candy Fitness with NEV in many of these same places,” commented Oseary. “Our goal is to create an environment inspired by Madonna’s vision and high standards of what the ideal gym would be. Hard Candy Fitness will be a reflection of Madonna’s point of view and will reflect her input on every detail including music space, light and other design cues. Madonna’s touch will be everywhere.” stated NEV Chairman Mark Mastrov.

Chris Dedicik, Hard Candy’s Managing Director commented, “Hard Candy Fitness is a one of a kind experience merging fitness with entertainment. We are dedicated to exceeding the expectations of our members.” Hard Candy Fitness members will experience the very best in innovative training methods including private, group and dynamic training including traditional classes such as Zumba, Latin Moves and Cardio Kickboxing as well as new programming designed specifically for Hard Candy Fitness. The fitness center will also include a Bike Studio, a Mind Body Studio featuring The Great Wall, where members can practice BarWorks, Sculpting, Capoeria and the newest trends in Yoga. It will also house a healthy alternative Juice Bar/Cafe. The lavish locker rooms built with the finest materials will be a sanctuary for members who will be able to relax in sauna and steam rooms. Members will also benefit from state of the art cardiovascular equipment with personal viewing screens, more than 60 pieces of strength equipment / free weights and the best group fitness, functional training accessories and brands including PreCor, Hoist, Free Motion, Nautilus, Hammer Strength, StarTrac, AbCoaster, and TRX suspension training.

— Source www.madonna.com



IFBB Houston Pro Figure Results


IFBB Houston Pro Figure Results:
1. Courtney West
2. Teresa Anthony
3. Monica Specking
4. Katina Maistrellis
5. Kim Sheppard
6. Amy Vetter
7. Carin Hawkin
8. Krissy Chin
9. Rosalind Vanterpool
10. Raechelle Chase
11. Sandie Ward



IFBB Houston Pro Bikini Results


Full IFBB Houston Pro Bikini results:
1. Shelsea Montes*
2. Natalie Pennington*
3. Vanessa Prebyl*
4. Michelle Lamb**
5. Barbara Bolotte**
6. Beth White
7. Janet Harding
8. Khanh Nguyen

*Olympia Qualified
** Tie



Live Coverage from the NPC Texas State / Houston Pro


Follow all the action from 2010 NPC Texas / IFBB Houston Pro. I’ll be covering all the action live from the Stafford Centre and give you an inside look at the event. If you’re in the Houston area, come on out and join us. Visit ThompsonMuscleContest.com for ticket info.

I’ll be tweeting under BBcomContests and Hardbodynews. Ron will be using @RonAvidan. Those of you tweeting about this weekend’s event, use the hashtag #Houstonpro. You can see what everyone is writing about related to the Houston Pro at hashtags.org/houstonpro.

If you’re not on Twitter, you can stay on this page and refresh for the live call-outs and my opinions through out the weekend. We’ll also be posting photos on our Facebook Page throughout the weekend.


COMPETITOR Lists:

IFBB HOUSTON PRO FIGURE:
1 – Anthony, Teresa
2 – Chase, Raechelle
3 – Chin, Krissy
4 – Maistrellis, Katina
5 – Sheppard, Kimberly
6 – Specking, Monica
7 – Vanterpool, Rosalind
8 – Vetter, Amy
9 – Ward, Sandie
10 – West, Courtney

IFBB HOUSTON PRO BIKINI:
1 – Bolotte, Barbara
2 – Harding, Janet
3 – Lamb, Michelle
4 – Montes, Shelsea
5 – Nguyen, Khanh
6 – Pennington, Natalie
7 – Prebyl, Vanessa
8 – White, Beth



IFBB Houston Pro Preview


The IFBB women are back on stage for the first time since the 2010 Olympia. Today’s Houston Pro marks the debut of a number of women and they could be a dominant force. This is the first 2011 Olympia qualifying show of the year and the pressure will be off for six women (the top three in each division qualify for the ’11 Olympia).


This show will be a good one to watch as there are no big “names” in the line up. This makes the show a little more interesting as you never really know who will be on their game and be in the mix.

In Figure,  Teresa Anthony is coming off an impressive showing at the Olympia. She narrowly missed the top six and is looking to get a qualification here. She’ll be an x factor here depending on what package she presents on stage. If she’s on the money like Vegas, she could be the one to beat. Raechelle chase made the trip from New Zeland and has been on a new diet. We’ll see if it pays off later today. Krissy Chin is coming off an Olympia showing and looking to return to the big dance next year. She’s refined her physique with the help of trainer Kim Oddo over the last few months and continually improving. Katina Maistrellis has the luxury of competing in her home town, which makes things far less stressful for show time. She’s qualified for the Olympia before and will look to once again. Rosalind Vanterpool has a great physique but carries a lot of muscle, will she hear a similar story once again? Sandy Ward will have her work cut out for her in this line up.

While half of the field has been on stage a number of times the other half will be hitting the pro stage for the first time. Kim Sheppard was on the same Houston stage a few weeks ago where she turned pro at the JR USAs. Monica Specking is wasting no time getting in the big leagues. She took home the overall Figure crown at last week’s NPC Nationals. Amy Vetter won her height class but lost the overall to Monica last week in Atlanta. She’ll look to avenge her loss and make a name for herself in the IFBB Pro League. Courtney West was the overall winner at the NPC USAs earlier this year. She too has the luxury of competing in her own backyard and should have quite the crew cheering in the audience.

Typically the NPC National Figure winner has done better in the pro division over the NPC USA Figure champ. Will this hold true today as Monica and Courtney square off against each other? We’ll find out today.

IFBB HOUSTON PRO FIGURE:
1 – Anthony, Teresa
2 – Chase, Raechelle
3 – Chin, Krissy
4 – Maistrellis, Katina
5 – Sheppard, Kimberly
6 – Specking, Monica
7 – Vanterpool, Rosalind
8 – Vetter, Amy
9 – Ward, Sandie
10 – West, Courtney

I’m surprised more bikini pros didn’t throw their heels in the mix of this show. It would be a perfect opportunity to qualify for the Olympia and enjoy the holidays. Khanh, Natalie and Shelsea are all coming off the inaugural Bikini Olympia. I like Shelsea “six-pack” Montes in this line-up as she has some of the best sass and a body to match. The rookie, Barbara Bolotte has a great look and I could see her landing in the top three here. She won her class last week at the NPC Nationals and will be one to watch today. Janet Harding gets the award for the most bikini shows in a year. I lost track of how many shows Janet has done. What will she bring to the stage this time? Michelle Lamb has one of the best bikini butts in the Pro division, the problem in Detroit was her suit. If she brings a different suit and filled out a little bit she could be in the mix here. Khanh Nguyen struggled earlier in the year to get in the top spots but found her groove heading into the Olympia. Her biggest issue was concealing her large boobs. She has a good physique and with the right suit cut too much boobage won’t be an issue. Natalie Pennington has an exotic look but her issue is from the backside. Her booty is a little flat and in this line-up she’ll have an uphill battle to get in the top 3. Vanessa Prebyl has a nice physique and if she can bring confidence to the stage and in her presentation she’ll be a top contender. Beth White found success in the NPC and will look to match it here. This will be her second pro show.

IFBB HOUSTON PRO BIKINI:
1 – Bolotte, Barbara
2 – Harding, Janet
3 – Lamb, Michelle
4 – Montes, Shelsea
5 – Nguyen, Khanh
6 – Pennington, Natalie
7 – Prebyl, Vanessa
8 – White, Beth



Enter The “I’m A Hardbody” Contest & Win!


What up Hardbody Peeps? The newest Muscle & Fitness HERS issue (Nov/Dec 2010) is out and IFBB Figure Rookie Pro, Courtney West is rock’n the cover. Inside the magazine you’ll find our HARDBODY.com full page ad featuring IFBB Figure Pro Jodie Minear.


Since this is our first ad in the kick ass magazine, we’re inviting you to be part of the celebration. We’re holding a contest that require nothing but a little effort and some creativity on your part.

Simply take a photo with the words, “I’M A HARDBODY.” You can write them, type them, scratch them into a table or however you see fit. Then email the photo to isaac@hardbody.com, post it to our FACEBOOK FAN Page or tweet it to @HARDBODYNEWS. You have until December 1st to submit your creative pic. The winner will receive $100 worth of FREE SUPPLEMENTS** and the chance to have your submitted photo in our next ad. The person with the most creative photo will win.


Hardbody.com ad as seen in Muscle & Fitness Hers.
IFBB Figure Pro Jodie Minear. Photography by Isaac Hinds / Liftstudios.com

AD COPY READS:

Yes,

I work out.
Eat egg whites cold.
Hide peanut butter from myself.
Have a chicken breast in my purse.
Carry a gallon jug.

I’M A HARDBODY.

Send in your pics with the ad. Get creative…

**You must be in the United States to win.



Gina Aliotti’s Top 10 Italian Insights


Gina Aliotti recently visited Italy and while traveling G compiled a list of things she observed. Check out the first in the series of Italian Insights.

Gina’s Top Things learned in Italy.

PART ONE:
1. Never throw your train ticket away until you get back to your hotel room! You often need your ticket to get you out of the train station or else you pay a fine!!
2. Soccer is their life!
3. Grilled Veggies = Soaked in Olive Oil
4. The Mediterranean Sea is SO salty
5. You must request an Americano without Milk otherwise an Americano is closer to a latte!
6. There is NO such thing as a Venti Coffee/Americano, you may as well ask for a coffee in a shot glass!
7. Italians don’t want you to try to speak their language and will tell you “English Please”!
8. Don’t over drink water because bathrooms are hard to come by and when you do you better have Euros on you because you often must pay to use the toilet!
9. Italians eat dinner super late!! 8:00 is typical and that is even early!
10. There is no such thing as lanes or a speed limit!

Check back for more Italian Insights next week. Check out Gina’s web site for healthy tips and more.



“Unofficial Insight” on the NPC Division & Updates


The Internet is great for a number of things but it can also be a breeding ground for rumors and 1/2 truths. People love drama and speculation is expected when rumors are running rampant. I’ve held off on posting many updates from the NPC Nationals meeting and IFBB Pro League meeting until they are officially announced. I’ve been bombarded with questions via email, text, phone calls and smoke signals. Okay, maybe not so many phone calls. All kidding aside, yes there will be some changes and additions to the NPC. There’s no sense in getting worked up over things until the organization puts out the details and regulations.

In an attempt to squash some of the madness, J.M. Manion posted this info on the Around The NPC NEWS facebook page. Here’s some “unofficial insight” until the official word is released.

Around The NPC with J.M. Manion Lots of rumors floating around after the 2010 NPC National Championships. Official announcements & details will be forthcoming in regard to Men’s Physique, Women’s Physique & Fitness.

What I can tell you ‘unofficially’ is;

1) Fitness will be scored 2/3 Routine, 1/3 Physique.

‎2) Men’s Physique will begin in 2011 with an IFBB Professional League division in 2012. Men wear Board Shorts, are barefoot & will have a posing criteria & will come on stage individually & then brought out in groups. Any NPC promoter can have Men’s Physique with their competitions.

3) Women’s Physique will also begin in 2011, but will only be held with NPC national competitions. Tentatively starting with NPC Jr. Nationals then Team Universe, USA & Nationals. No local, state or regional competitions will have them in 2011. Also with an IFBB Professional League division in 2012. Details & rules still being worked out. But the competitors will be barefoot, no heels.

4) There will still be NPC Women’s Bodybuilding competitions.

My advice is to RELAX people. It’s not the end of the world and yes, I understand you need to prep for competitions but stop acting like the sky is falling and the competitive world as we know it will dramatically change. I’ll keep you posted when more news is available. In the mean time, don’t get your posing suits in a bunch.



VIDEO: 5 Minute Onion & Tomato Egg White Scramble


Bodybuilding.com has a new video with nutritionist and best selling author Christine Avanti. She guides you through some of her favorite recipes to help burn fat and get that slim physique you’ve always wanted. In this video she takes you through her Onion & Tomato Egg White Scramble.

For the complete recipe on this 5 Minute Onion and Tomato Scramble, visit Bodybuilding.com.



Hardbody Style’n with The Sports Stylist® – Don’t Get Discouraged


The Cinster is back with a Hardbody Style’n Tip. She’s offers a great reminder for ladies who are on a shoot.

Congratulations, you scored that magazine shoot or ad campaign you have been wanting! We (the stylists and art directors) may have you try on numerous outfits, so don’t get discouraged!  It does not mean that they we can’t find anything we like on you. We may be trying to find the perfect look for your set of exercises or the background color at the gym. We want you to look your best too so bear with us and keep smiling!

Check out more on Cindy’s Blog and follow her on twitter.



MMA with Momo – UFC 121 Predictions and Breakdown


IFBB Bikini Pro / Fitness Model / Mixed Martial Artist Monique Minton breaks down UFC 121. The card is stacked from top to bottom with some amazing fights. Will she be correct in her picks? Who do you like in the weekend’s event?

Hello everyone! Now that the Bikini Olympia has passed, I’m very focused with my MMA training, I have a very good coach with a great game plan. I plan to compete in a tournament this December, so check back to see how I do.

I’m back with predictions for UFC 121 being held in Anaheim, CA this weekend. This is a great card, with alot hype for the main event. SPIKE TV has even dedicated this month as “Brocktober”! You can be sure I will be watching these fights with my team mates this Saturday! oss!

UFC Fight Card 121

Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez – What can I say… Brock is a beast! He’s better than ever and looks to be fully recovered from a serious illness months ago. He looks like the main character on beauty and the beast , but bigger! Cain is a guy who has a lot of talent though. Very good wrestling and standup, but he’s missing size and power. How can you push a steel wall? I’m going with Brock on this one.

Jake Shields vs Martin Kampmann -Former stikeforce fighter, Shields has good wrestling, submissions and strength. His stand-up, in my opinion, is so so. Martin has really good jiu-jitsu and good standup. Martin seems to always get paired with tuff guys though. I will go with Jake Shields on this one with ground and pound.

Diego Sanchez vs Paulo Thiago – Diego is an Ultimate Fighter alum and former student under Saulo Riebeiro. He has recently switched camps/coaches. During his last fight we didn’t see the same Diego as in the past. Paulo Thiago is a very tough guy physically and mentally. He is part of BOPe, a special Brazilian police force that go into the Favelas (ghetto) to kill the drug lords. They fight to kill or die. There is great movie called Elite squad , Part 2 is out in theaters now but in Brazil only. It shows the dangerous missions they go through on a day to day basis. For this fight I’m going with Paulo, he lost his last fight against Martin Kampmann but I think he has gone back to the drawing board and revised his mission.

Tito Ortiz vs Matt Hamil – I will pick Matt Hamil for this fight. I hope that nasty staff infection has healed that he revealed in the octogon on his last fight! Tito has had alot of attention in the past months, being married to former pornstar Jenna jameson. He was accused of battery and we shall see if he was able to focus and train for his first fight after the incedent. I’m not a huge fan of Ortiz.

Brendan Schaub vs Gabriel Gonzaga – Gabriel “napao” meaning big nose in Portuguese… He’s a world champion in bjj and has some high kicks the problem is he likes to party a lot but who doesn’t? lol. Brendan Schaub was former professional football player for Utah Blaze. He was also a finalist on Ultimate fighter. I’m going with Gonzaga with this fight because he has more fighting expierence. I call TKO on this fight!

Let’s see if Momo is correct come fight night. In the mean time you can check her out in the current issue of UFC magazine.

Dean’s a little late to the game this card but he’s challenging Momo once again. Who will prevail?


DEAN’S BREAKDOWN

Brock Lesnar vs Cain Velasquez
– Lesnar, second round stoppage. I think Cain might have the skillz but doesn’t have the size and Cain has a solid jaw so the ref is going to have to stop this one.

Jake Shields vs. Martin Kampmann
– Kampmann, Shields will prob rock him a few times but I’m saying Kampman will put a stop to Shields 14 win streak.

Diego Sanchez vs. Paulo Thiago
– Sanchez, I am going out on a limb here but I will go with Sanchez Decision.

Tito Ortiz vs. Matt Hamill
– Hamill, Last fight I saw Tito in it didn’t look like he recovered fully from his injury. Another decision.

Brendan Schaub vs. Gabriel Gonzaga
– Gonzaga, Knock out end of Second round.



Monique Featured in UFC Magazine


Those of you who visit our site regularly are familiar with IFBB Pro Monique Minton and her MMA background. If you’re new to the site, check out some of the brown haired beauty’s MMA accomplishments. She recently competed in the first ever Bikini Olympia where she scored a top ten finish.

Monique is currently featured in a two page interview with UFC magazine. In it they talk about her Brazilian Ju-Jitsu training and how guys underestimate her skills on the mat. Current UFC heavyweight, Brock Lesnar is featured on the cover of the Oct/Nov 2010 issue. Check it out, it’s a magazine that’s worth every penny.

Don’t be surprised if you see more of Monique featured in other fight magazines. She’s one of the few women with the one-two punch of skills and looks. Congrats Momo!

Photos: UFC Magazine.



RIP Physique Photographer Weiferd Watts


It’s with a heavy heart that I post this news. While at the NPC Nationals I had several people ask me if I’d heard that Physique Photographer Weiferd Watts has passed away. I had heard it but was hoping it was just a terrible rumor. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a rumor and the industry lost a talented individual.


IFBB Fitness Pro Erin Riley
photograph by Weiferd Watts

I didn’t know Weiferd well but the woman who shot with him were always pleased with the images he created. His passion for dance showed in his ability to capture the movement. Rest in Peace Weiferd. Our condolences to the family.

Memorial Service:
Friday 10/22/2010 – 1:00pm
CP Bannon Mortuary
6800 International Blvd.
Oakland, CA
510.632.1011

Cards & Condolences can be sent to:
Theresa Greer
3216 Delaware St. Apt A
Oakland, CA 94602

Via: Bodyspace

Check out some of Weiferd’s images on his myspace page.



Fitness Mandatory Routine Moves Are Back


The IFBB and NPC will bring back the fitness mandatory moves for the new contest season. The mandatory moves take effect immediately for the IFBB Fitness Pros and will begin in 2011 for NPC competitors. Since the IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Cup is the first Olympia qualifying show for 2011, it will implement the changes.

The 4 Mandatory Moves required in IFBB/NPC Fitness Routines are:
• Pushup (of any kind)
• High Kicks
• Straddle Hold
• Side Split

I was in attendance for the 2010 NPC National Board of Governors meeting in Atlanta where this topic was addressed. The fitness division was discussed and more emphasis will be placed on the fitness routines for 2011. In the NPC, the routines will count for 2/3 of the final score. There will still be two rounds, the 2-piece swimsuit and the fitness routine round, however the routine score will be doubled for the final score. The routines for the pros will also be given more emphasis. This will benefit women like Tanji Johnson, Nicole Duncan, Oksana Grishina and many other pros who have amazing routines.

The four mandatory moves will be judged on level of difficulty as well. Example? If a woman does a one arm pushup with ease she will score higher than a woman doing a two-arm pushup because of the level of difficulty. That doesn’t mean doing a sloppy, poorly executed one-arm pushup will score higher than perfectly executed two-arm pushup. The moves can be done in any order but must be included in the routine.

There will NOT be a 45-second routine in the pros and the women will NOT be wearing the black catsuit. Could this change? Possibly. Stay tuned.



2011 NPC National Contest Dates Announced


The 2011 NPC National Contest dates have been announced and there are a few changes to note. The biggest change is the 2011 NPC JR USA event. The contest promoted, by Tres Bennett, will move back to Charleston, South Carolina and will be the first National NPC show of the year. The 2011 NPC Nationals will move back to Fort Lauderdale and will take place in the middle of November. The Team Universe contest will move Teaneck, New Jersey. The contest will be in the host hotel ballroom and run similar to the NPC JR. Nationals, where everything is in one place (meetings, host hotel, event, etc).

2011 NPC National Contest Dates

Wheelchair Nationals
March 19, 2011
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Promoter: Frank Dalto

NPC JR USA Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure & Bikini
May 21, 2011
Charleston, SC
Promoter: Tres Bennett
www.npcjrusa.com

NPC JR National Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure & Bikini
June 17-18, 2011
Chicago, IL
Promoter: Pam Betz
www.npcjrnationals.com

NPC Team Universe Bodybuilding, Figure, Fitness and Bikini
July 8-9, 2011
Teaneck, New Jersey
Promoter: Steve Weinberger
www.bevfrancis.com/shows.html

NPC Teen Collegiate / Masters Nationals
July 22-23, 2011
Pittsburgh, PA
Promoter: Gary Udit
www.garyudit.com

NPC USA Bodybuilding, Figure & Bikini
July 29-30, 2011
Las Vegas, NV
Promoter: Jon Lindsay
www.musclecontest.com

IFBB North American Bodybuilding, Figure & Bikini
September 2-3, 2011
Cleveland, Ohio
Promoter: Gary Udit
www.garyudit.com

NPC Nationals Bodybuilding, Figure & Bikini
November 11-12 or 18-19, 2011
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Promoter: Steve Karel / Pam Betz
www.nationalbodybuilding.com



Live Coverage of The NPC Nationals


Follow all the action from 2010 NPC Nationals in Atlanta. Ron Avidan and I will be covering the event for Bodybuilding.com, Getbig.com and here on Hardbody.com. We’ll keep you updated on everything happening in Atlanta and help you feel like you’re there.

Please keep in mind that I am photographing the show while tweeting (during the show), which means I may misspell some things and not be able to respond directly to all your tweets. I’ll do the best I can to keep ya updated & give you an inside look behind-the-scenes. I’ll be tweeting under BBcomContests and Hardbodynews. Ron will be using @RonAvidan. Those of you tweeting about this weekend’s event, use the hashtag #NPCnationals. You can see what everyone is writing about related to the NPC Nationals at hashtags.org/npcnationals.

If you’re not on Twitter, you can stay on this page and refresh for the live call-outs and my opinions through out the weekend. We’ll also be posting photos on our Facebook Page throughout the weekend.




MTV’S Bully Beatdown & Ring Girl Kathleen Tesori Are Back


MTV’s popular show “Bully Beatdown” is back for a third season and so is Kathleen Tesori. IFBB Pro and Cover Girl Kathleen Tesori is the ring girl for Season 3. Those of you who visit our site often are familiar with Kat, if you’re not check out what you’ve been missing.

The new season of MTV’s Bully Beatdown airs on November 11, 2010.

Photo by Mitch Meyer – MTV.com

If you’re not familiar with the program here’s the breakdown on the beatdown.

Ever wanted help getting a bully to back off? When it’s time to even the odds, it’s time for Bully Beatdown.

We’re bringing together bullies and their victims for the ultimate showdown. Bullies can pick on the small and the weak, but can they handle a trained, professional fighter? When they enter the ring — fighting for pride and for cash — will these bullies have what it takes? Or will they get a taste of their own medicine?

In each episode of executive producer Mark Burnett’s Bully Beatdown, victims reach out to our host, professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Jason “Mayhem” Miller, to enlist his help. After learning why this guy needs a beatdown, Mayhem will “ambush” the bully. Calling him out in front of others, Mayhem will give him a choice: accept the challenge of fighting a MMA fighter or look like a coward.

With the fight set, Mayhem makes sure the victims and the bullies get what they deserve. The bully gets the real experience of what it’s like to fight someone who is more than capable of fighting back, along with the nervous fear that comes from waiting for the big fight. For the victims, it’s the satisfaction of seeing their bully face someone who can make him suffer for his past actions.

Fight rules are simple: There are two rounds of fighting with up to $10,000 at stake for each newly extended five-minute round. Round 1 involves grappling and submissions; The Bully starts the round with $5,000, but will lose $1,000 every time he “taps out.” If at any time the bully manages to submit the MMA fighter, the bully wins an additional $5,000 bonus. Round 2 is all about kickboxing; the bully will win another $5,000 if he can survive five minutes of kickboxing with the MMA fighter without getting knocked out. If the bully gets knocked out, quits or the referee stops the fight before the end of the round, he gets nothing. If the bully manages to knock out the MMA fighter, he gets a $5,000 bonus. Any money deducted from the bully in either Round 1 or Round 2 will go to the victims and we will bring you closer to the action than ever before with Big John McCarthy’s ref-cam catching every excruciating punch, kick, and body slam inflicted upon our bully.

At the end of show, Mayhem calculates the winnings and tells the bully how much he has lost and how much is going to his victims. After the fight is over, one would hope that the bully will have learned a valuable lesson and will stop picking on people smaller and weaker than him. Will he change his ways? Or, someday in the future, will he need another Bully Beatdown?

Source: MTV.com

The trailer for this season’s show:


Photo by Mitch Meyer – MTV.com

Check out more photos of Kat on MTV.com.



Disclaimer: Reader discretion advised, please consult your physician before beginning any exercise or diet program.