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Archives for May 2011

2011 California Pro Figure Results

May 28, 2011 by

Felicia Romero delivered in Culver City. She took home top honors and fended off Krissy Chin who continues to improve. Krissy finished in the runner-up position for the second week in a row. Moving way up in the ranks at this show was Natalie Waples. Natalie will now compete in her first Figure Olympia. Congrats to all who competed.

2011 California Pro Figure Results:
1. Felicia Romero**
2. Krissy Chin**
3. Natalie Waples**
4. Jacqueline Hoppe
5. Monica Escalante
6. Sara Hurrle
7. Monica Specking
8. Michelle Battista
9. Meriza DeGuzman
10. Rachel Gichert
11. Kiana Phi
12. Heather Grace
13. Kimberly Sheppard
14. Natalia Revajova
15. Aleisha Hart
16. Valerie Gangi
17. Ann Pratt
17. Anna Johnson
17. Christina Mehling
17. Emily Nicholson
17. Jill St. Laurent
17. Sabrina Taylor
17. Shalmieno Paper
17. Susan Salazar

**Qualify for the 2011 Figure Olympia

Photo via FLEXonline.com – Bill Comstock

Filed Under: Contest Results, IFBB

2011 New York Pro Bikini Results

May 28, 2011 by

Ali Rosen notched another pro victory to her competitive resume. She bested a competitive field in New York on Saturday. Rosen had been off the mark in her earlier shows but found the winning formula in the Big Apple. Abbie Burrows rebounded from her Louisiana showing last week by taking second. Missy Coles sealed the third and final Olympia qualification. She was also at her best of the year coming in tighter than she had in her previous shows. Missing out on the top three but still making her presence known was Juliana Daniell from Atlanta.

2011 NEW YORK PRO BIKINI:
1. Alison Rosen**
2. Abigail Burrows**
3. Missy Coles**
4. Juliana Daniell
5. Tianna Ta
6. Brandy Leaver
7. Kristy Robbins
8. Dayna Maleton
9. Jessica Jessie
10. Tabitha Klausen-Leandri
11. Nathalie Mur
12. Nicole Coleman
13. Christy Merritt
14. Diana Fields
15. Natalie Abrheim
16. Samantha Morris

**Qualified for the 2011 Bikini Olympia

Filed Under: Contest Results, IFBB

2011 New York Pro Figure Results

May 28, 2011 by

Cheryl Brown completed her trifecta in the Tribecca tonight at the New York Pro. She completed a string of shows winning Orlando, Pittsburgh and New York. As expected after prejudging, Heather Dees took second to Cheryl again. Still a strong showing for her first two shows as a pro. In a somewhat surprising finish, Larissa Reis took the third and final Olympia qualification. It looked as if she’d be out of the top spots in prejudging. She was definitely improved from her Arnold showing.

2011 NEW YORK PRO FIGURE RESULTS:
1. Cheryl Brown**
2. Heather Dees**
3. Larissa Reis**
4. Alea Suarez
5. Gina Trochiano
6. Candice John
7. Caroline Hernandez
8. Jelena Abbou
9. Josie Zamora
10. Mona Muresan
11. Michelle Bates
12. Charmayne Jackson
13. Rachel LeBlanc
14. Candice Houston

**Qualifies for the 2011 Olympia

Filed Under: Contest Results, IFBB

IFBB New York Figure Prejudging Report

May 28, 2011 by

The 2011 New York Pro Figure prejudging has concluded and it looks like IFBB Figure Pro Cheryl Brown will win her third show in a row. Word around the event was that Cheryl was sick and almost didn’t take to the stage. She found her composure and appears to have locked in another victory.

Second place, for the second time in a row and to Cheryl Brown none-the-less, looks to be Heather Dees. Heather was in the brides-maid position in Pittsburgh and will likely end up there again. Third place should go to Alea Saurez. This is only her second show in the figure division as a pro. She had previously competed in bikini. Fourth place looks like it belongs to Larissa Reis. She was also improved from her last show. Rounding out the top five could either be Candice John or Gina Trochiano. I’d give the nod to Candice as she is a little more streamlined. Gina has a good look but doesn’t open up her back when she is posing. If she would open up her back we’d get a better idea for how her symmetry looks.

Jelena Abbou won’t be in the top five based on callouts but I think she’s one of the most strikingly beautiful women in the IFBB. She’s a perfect example of a woman who may not place well but rest assured you’ll see her in more and more magazines because of her looks.

The finals are later tonight. Follow twitter.com/hardbodynews for complete, live coverage.

Filed Under: IFBB

IFBB New York Pro Bikini Prejudging Report

May 28, 2011 by

The 2011 New Pro Bikini prejudging wrapped up and it looks like Florida girl, Ali Rosen will be crowned the queen of bikini. The judges had her front and center in most of the callouts and my guess is she’ll win by a unanimous vote. Ali was in her best conditioning of the year and by far her best presentation as a pro, at least in my opinion.

Second looks to be between last year’s winner, Missy Coles and rookie Pro Abbie Burrows. The two are both improved from their last shows and the judges liked what they presented. I think the judges will go with Coles in second. Personally, I liked Juliana Daniell for second and would have liked to seen her stand next to Ali for a comparison. She could sneak into third but it looks like she could be a lock for 4th. Fifth place appearred to be Brandy Leaver at first but after a few comparisons the judges took a liking to Tianna Ta. It looks like Tianna will end up in fifth. She improve a great deal from her last show and her presentation was her best as a pro today. I thought her abs were a little too lean though and her upper body was harder than her lower body.

The rest of the pack… well some women missed their peak and others just failed to stand out in this tough, competitive field. The finals will take place tonight and we’ll see how things end up. Check back later for more info and follow twitter.com/hardbodynews for live updates.

Filed Under: IFBB

Live Coverage From IFBB California Pro & IFBB New York Pro

May 27, 2011 by

We’re on both coasts covering all the action from the New York Pro and the California Pro. Follow the tweet box people to see call-outs, opinions, news and more from both shows.



Filed Under: IFBB & NPC

Predict Correctly & Win Free Supplements

May 26, 2011 by

This weekend the battle of EAST vs WEST will take place in the IFBB Figure division. On the west coast you have the IFBB California Pro, where Ron “the master yogi” Avidan will be reporting. The East Coast will be home to the New York Pro, where I will be covering the action. The winners of the Figure competition will go head to head for a chance to be on an upcoming cover of Muscle & Fitness HERS. That’s a pretty sweet gig for the winners of the shows. We’re giving you a chance to win too.


All you have to do is predict who will place in the top three IN EXACT ORDER of both the California Pro and the New York Pro figure. The first person who correctly predicts them will win $50 in supplements. You must be in the United States to win. As an added bonus if you can correctly predict the top three in the New York Pro Bikini we’ll give you another $50 in supplements.

Place your predictions in the comments below. If multiple people make the same winning predictions, the first person who posted will win. Again, you must be in the United States to win. No purchase is necessary, just your top three in exact order. The line-ups are posted below. Good luck!

2011 IFBB California Pro Figure:
1. Michelle Battista-McDonald
2. Krissy Chin
3. Meriza DeGuzman-Ciccone
4. Monica Escalante
5. Valerie Gangi
6. Rachel Gichert
7. Aleisha Hart
8. Jacqueline Hoppe
9. Sara Hurrle
10. Anna Johnson
11. Christina Mehling
12. Emily Nicholson
13. Shalmiero Paper
14. Kiana Phi
15. Ann Pratt
16. Natalia Revajova
17. Felicia Romero
18. Susan Salazar
19. Kimberly Sheppard
20. Monica Specking
21. Jill St. Laurent
22. Sabrina Taylor
23. Natalie Waples
24. Heather Grace

2011 IFBB New York Pro Figure:
1. Jelena Abbou
2. Michelle Bates
3. Cheryl Brown
4. Heather Dees
5. Carolina Hernandez
6. Candice Houston
7. Charmayne Jackson
8. Candice John
9. Rachel LeBlanc
10. Larissa Reis
11.Alea Suarez
12. Gina Trochiano
13. Josie Zamora

2011 IFBB New York Pro Bikini:
1. Natalie Abrhiem
2. Abbie Burrows
3. Nicole Coleman
4. Missy Coles
5. Juliana Daniell
6. Diana Fields
7. Jessica Jessie
8. Tabitha Klausen-Leandri
9. Brandy Leaver
10.Dayna Maleton
11. Christy Merritt
12. Samantha Morris
13. Nathalie Mur
14. Kristy Robbins
15. Ali Rosen
16. Tianna Ta

Filed Under: News & Features

Laura Bailey’s Nutrition, Training & Supplementation

May 26, 2011 by

Laura Bailey is one of the top NPC Figure competitors in the nation. She’s consistently done well in her competitions and it’s not by accident. It takes hard work, dedication a proper nutrition plan and solid training. Laura was one of the finalists in the Bodybuilding.com BodySpace Spokesmodel compeition and gives us a look into how she got that rock’n hardbody.

 

Visit Bodybuilding.com to get Laura’s exact training, nutrition and supplementation program. It’s a sweet breakdown of everything she eats and includes the breakdown of calories, protein, carbs and more. You’ll also get an idea of her workouts on the site. Great content from Laura and TEAM BODYBUILDING.com.

Laura’s Personal Philosophy:

Nutrition
My philosophy regarding nutrition is simple: “If it doesn’t taste good, I’m not eating it!” I hear so many people say, “I can eat plain chicken and oatmeal forever”. No they can’t, otherwise they would stay in shape forever.

This is exactly why most people fall off their nutrition after about a week, and is also the reason most competitors rebound so bad in the off season. Their nutrition plan makes them miserable. They are cranky and don’t like what they eat.

I don’t believe in eating food; I believe in eating meals….good meals! There’s a big difference. “food” can be bland and boring, but “meals” have flavor and life! I have to enjoy what I’m eating if I’m going to make those habits a lifestyle rather than something that is only seasonal.

The best investment I ever made was in a nutritionist. He helped me relearn everything about eating and completely changed my perspective.

I never enjoyed cooking, but have learned to become quite the chef out of necessity. I took foods that I enjoyed and learned how to prepare them with healthy substitutions that still allowed me to eat them, even during competition season.

Some of my favorites are: lemon poppy seed muffins, chocolate muffins, zucchini bread and carrot cake muffins, strawberry pancakes, 7-layer bean dip, Mexican pizza, potato skins, crab cakes, chicken and shrimp fried rice. Now that’s good eating! I always look forward to my next meal, and so should you.

Get educated about nutrition, get recipes, get in that kitchen, and get creative! You’ve got nothing to lose except pounds!

 

Check out Laura’s  video and more here!

 

Filed Under: Competition Nutrition, News & Features, TRAINING

Anna Kournikova Named Newest Trainer on “The Biggest Loser”

May 25, 2011 by

NBC’s popular tv show that features extreme weight-loss, “The Biggest Loser” announced their newest female trainer. Jillian Michaels had been a trainer on the show but left the show to start a family. Many women in the fitness industry were considered for the trainer spot. I know from speaking with a few competitors that they went through multiple rounds of casting for the position. Instead of hiring a “real trainer” they went with a popular female in the world of sports. Anna Kournikova, professional tennis player, will be the newest “Biggest Loser” trainer.

There’s no disputing that the Russian-born athlete is cute but is she fit to train others? Many people don’t think so on the interwebs. What do you think?

From kournikova.com:

I am officially the new trainer on The Biggest Loser on NBC!!!!

I can’t wait to get started on the show and to share everything that I have learned throughout my years as a professional athlete, and I really feel like this is going to be the perfect fit! Living a healthy lifestyle has always been such a huge part of me, and I am beyond excited to get to work!

I will have so much more to share with you guys once we get started on this really cool adventure!

Stay tuned for more to come!

Here’s a look at her on The Biggest Loser this season.

Filed Under: Celebrity Fitness

2011 IFBB New York Pro Bikini Preview & Poll

May 25, 2011 by

The 2011 IFBB New York Pro Bikini will go down this weekend at the Tribecca Performing Arts Center along with the Pro Figure competition.  This has shaped up to be a very competitive field of IFBB bikini pros. The top spot could go to a number of women and you might be better off flipping a coin if you’re looking to wager on this one.

The Hardbody Breakdown:
Abbie Borrows qualified for the Olympia her first time on stage as a pro. She notched a third place victory in her debut but slipped to fifth last week in Louisiana. She’ll need to come in with a different suit, slightly tighter physique and a relaxed presentation if she hopes to be in the money here. Missy Coles won this show last year but has been on the outside looking in on the top spots lately. She fixed her tan but her conditioning and confidence hasn’t been the same in recent shows. If she can channel what she presented last year she’ll move back up. She needs a top three finish to put her back in consideration as a top pro.

Juliana Daniell surprised a number of people when she placed second at the Pittsburgh Pro. The win was deserved and it was due to her bringing an improved physique and new-found confidence to the stage. I’d like to see a different suit color than the yellow but I look for her to be in the money again here. Jessica Jessie was off the mark in Pittsburgh and will look to reclaim a top spot in the Big Apple. It comes down to her legs being tight enough as everything else is on the money. Tabitha Klauesen-Leandri has the looks and is one of the taller competitors in the show. If her conditioning is there she could be a top callout.

Dayna Maleton has one of the best physiques in the pro ranks if only she could present it. She’s getting better and if she brings the same look she did to Orlando but presents it better, she could win the show. That’s a big COULD but her physique is one of the best in my opinion. Kristy Robbins will compete in her third show since taking a few years off. I like her look but she’ll face her competition to date. Ali Rosen has been off the mark so far this year. She has the look and a cute presentation but will need to be much tighter than  in the past to be in the top spots. She’s proven she can do it but will it be at this show. Tianna Ta has improved her physique and presentation since joining Team Bombshell and will be one to watch.

 

{democracy:197}

Filed Under: IFBB

2011 New York Pro Figure Preview & Poll

May 25, 2011 by

While twenty plus IFBB Figure women will quarter-turn it out in Cali, 13 will do the same in New York this weekend. Despite there being fewer numbers in the New York Pro Figure, I think the line up is tougher. Mr. Ron “Yogi” Avidan disagrees with me but he would since he’s in California and can drive to the Cal Pro and cover the action. I will be flying to New York on Friday to cover the entire event which includes not only Figure but also Bikini and men’s bodybuilding.

 

The Hardbody Breakdown:
The favorite heading into this show is Cheryl “Brownie” Brown. She’s already notched two wins to her credit this year and will look to make it three in a row. It won’t come easy for her and we have yet to see if she can hold her peak doing so many shows in a row. I give her credit for improving her physique since teaming up with Kim Oddo but I’ve gotta be honest, I’m still not a big fan of her physique. Luckily for her, I’m not a judge and the judges do favor it.

Heather Dees is hot on Brownie’s tail and could pull up the upset here. She was second at the Pittsburgh Pro in her pro debut and will look to avenge her loss to Cheryl in the Big Apple. Heather streamlined her physique since turning pro and has made an immediate impact on the pro ranks. Jelena Abbou has gone back and forth between the bikini and figure divisions and will try her heels at figure this time. She has an incredibly tiny waist and great shape but hasn’t nailed her conditioning in the glutes and hamstrings. If she can come in sharper there, she could be in the hunt. There’s no question she’ll have the crowd on her side and she’s one stunning woman. Candice John has steadily moved her way up and could be a threat for the top spots here. She’s polished her presentation and appearance and I like it. Charmayne Jackson finished much higher in Louisiana than some may have expected, can she do the same here?

Larissa Reis will look to return to the Olympia stage once again. If she shows up like she did at the Arnold, she’ll be watching the Olympia as a spectator. Personally, I think she fits in line with the new Women’s Physique division but since there are no pro shows for that until next year, we’ll have to wait. She has won a pro figure show before so it’s not out of the picture for her to do so again. Alea Suarez made the switch from Bikini to Figure and it suited her well. She’ll be in the hunt here if she shows up like she did in Pittsburgh.

Gina Trochiano is my dark horse in this show. She has the structure and look for her to be in the top three if she’s on point. I could see her qualifying for the Olympia but it won’t be an easy task. Josie Zamora jumped into the pro scene immediately after her overall win at last year’s Jr. Nationals but has come up short of an Olympia qualifying spot. She could be in the mix but I’d like to see her ditch the Mr. Potato-head looking bright red lipstick and pose with some curves instead of so rigid.

{democracy:196}

Filed Under: IFBB

2011 Europa FIBO Power USA – Chicago CANCELLED

May 25, 2011 by

The 2011 Europa FIBO Power USA was slated to take place on September 29 – October 2, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. There’s been a change of plans and the event will not take place to the disappointment of many competitors and fans. This was slated to be one of the few shows that held an IFBB Pro Fitness competition.

The event has been removed from IFBBpro.com and www.chicagofitnessandsportexpo.com shares:

Reed Exhibitions will no longer produce the FIBO POWER USA and EUROPA event (also known as Chicago Fitness & Sport Expo), scheduled at Rosemont Convention Center in Rosemont, IL on September 30 – October 1, 2011.

A decision was made by Reed to focus efforts and resources on other opportunities for growth in the Pop Culture space.

We would like to thank our partners on this event, Europa and Vision Star Entertainment, our customers, vendors, and industry supporters for the opportunity to explore a new concept.

What exactly they mean by “growth in the Pop Culture space” is beyond me. The event was being promoted by Reed Exhibitions along with Europa Sports and Ed & Betty Pariso.

Filed Under: IFBB

2011 IFBB California Pro Figure Preview & Poll

May 25, 2011 by

This weekend the IFBB California Pro Figure will take place in Culver City, California. Twenty three competitors are slated to compete on May 28th. The line up is competitive and three olympia qualifications are up for grabs. The winner of this contest will face the winner of the New York Pro Figure contest for a cover try at Muscle & Fitness Hers.

The favorite heading into this contest, at least on paper, has to be Felicia Romero. The Arizona personal trainer will look to notch another win to her competitive resume. Her legs have come up over the years and were her weak area in the past. I look for her to come out on top at this contest but anything is possible. Krissy Chin is coming off a second place finish in Louisiana and will look for her first pro victory here. She was one point behind the winner last week. Meriza DeGuzman will look to move back into the top spots after a few disappointing placings. Monica Escalante is usually better her second or third show in a row. Look for her to move up from her 6th place Louisiana showing. Sara Hurrle could move into the top five if she brings a little better presentation/posing to this stage. I really like Monica Specking’s physique and her shape is great. If she comes in a bit more confident and polished than the past she’ll be in the mix. I heard that Heather Grace will waste no time since turning pro at the NPC JR USA and enter this contest. It will be interesting to see how she matches up in the pro ranks.

{democracy:195}

2011 IFBB California Pro Figure Line Up:
1. Michelle Battista-McDonald
2. Krissy Chin
3. Meriza DeGuzman-Ciccone
4. Monica Escalante
5. Valerie Gangi
6. Rachel Gichert
7. Aleisha Hart
8. Jacqueline Hoppe
9. Sara Hurrle
10. Anna Johnson
11. Christina Mehling
12. Emily Nicholson
13. Shalmiero Paper
14. Kiana Phi
15. Ann Pratt
16. Natalia Revajova
17. Felicia Romero
18. Susan Salazar
19. Kimberly Sheppard
20. Monica Specking
21. Jill St. Laurent
22. Sabrina Taylor
23. Natalie Waples

*Heather Grace may compete.

Filed Under: IFBB

20/20 Goes After Jennifer Nicole Lee & The Ab Circle Pro

May 24, 2011 by

Jennifer Nicole Lee has become one of the biggest names in the fitness industry. She’s prominently featured in BSN‘s ad campaign and can often be seen at large fitness expos working their booth. At this year’s Arnold Classic Ron Avidan and I caught up with her at the BSN booth where she was promoting her new book and bobble head. Yes, she even has her own bobble head. She’s always full of energy and that weekend was no different. Jennifer has taken her weight-loss and turned herself into a world wide name but did she go too far? She’s appeared on Oprah and eventually made her way into the infomercial world with her own product.

If you’ve ever been up late at night watching tv you’ve likely seen her infomercial for the Ab Circle Pro. It’s a machine that appears to be selling well. So well it caught the attention of ABC and their news program 20/20. They caught up with the bikini diva to ask her about her weight loss claims and how it applied to the ab circle pro. Check out the video below to see their report.

What do you think? Is it false advertising on JNL’s part of are people just jealous of her success?

Filed Under: News & Features

Hardbody Style’n Tip: A Magazine Shoot isn’t A Shopping Spree

May 24, 2011 by

Our resident Hardbody Style’n genius, Cindy “The Sports Stylist®” Whitehead has a helpful tip this week for those of you who do photo shoots. Most women who are into modeling have a goal of being in a magazine. Magazine photo shoots are different than portfolio shoots. Typically a magazine shoot will be quite a production, complete with hair, make-up, styling and more.

If you haven’t been on a magazine shoot you may or may not know that the clothing is usually provided. Top stylists like Cindy often spend hours finding a variety of clothes for the shoot. The clothing must fit properly and not have a dated look by the time the magazine runs. Most photo shoots happen months before you see it hit the final product. Many times the clothing provided on these types of shoots aren’t in stores yet. All that considered, check out Cindy’s tip on those killer clothes.

You know that rack of amazing clothes you see at your magazine shoot and wish you could take it all home with you? The stylist and her team have spent weeks calling manufacturers and PR firms pulling in workout wear or swimsuits from many different manufacturers. Stylists usually have things in a set order on the rack and are responsible financially for getting each and every piece back to the manufacturer it came from. So always ask before you grab something that catches your eye – while it may look like the best “store” you have ever seen, with everything in your size, its filled with one of a kind pieces, product that is under wraps until it’s launched and everything in a specific order. You don’t want to give the stylist (who is going to make you look amazing) a heart attack!

 

Check out Cindy’s blog at cindywhitehead.blogspot.com. Cindy has been traveling all over the globe on killer photo shoots so be sure to follow her adventures on  twitter.com (@sportsStylist).

Filed Under: Cindy Whitehead - Sports Stylist®

2011 IFBB Optimum Classic Pro Figure Results

May 22, 2011 by

At the 2011 IFBB Optimum Classic Pro Figure contest in Shreveport, Louisiana, Candice Keene beat out Krissy Chin for the win by ONE point. A relative unknown, Ella Horton finished 3rd to secure the coveted Olympia qualification.

We weren’t there but from the looks of the photos online it appeared as if the lighting was not very good at this contest. If you were there comment below on your experience. The results left a few people scratching their heads as some competitors were much higher than previous shows and others were much lower. Again we weren’t there to know for certain. Congrats to all the women who achieved their goals.


2011 IFBB Optimum Classic Pro Figure Results:
1. Candice Keene*
2. Krissy Chin*
3. Ella Horton*
4. Ann Titone
5. Charmayne Jackson
6. Monica Escalante
7. Sara Hurrle
8. Petra Mertl
9. Amy Vetter
10. Aleisha Hart
11. Tivisay Briceno
12. Stephanie McDonald
13. Natalie Waples
14. Rachel Gichert
15. Amy Lee Martin
16. Emily Nicholson
17. Mona Muresan
18. Danielle Kifer
18. Kristin Nunn
18. Shalmieno Paper
18. Susan Salazar
18. Kimberly Sheppard
18. Sandi Stuart

*Olympia Qualified

Filed Under: Contest Results, IFBB

2011 IFBB Optimum Classic Pro Bikini Results

May 22, 2011 by

Barbara Bolotte entered her second pro show and took home her first pro victory at the 2011 Optimum Class Pro Bikini contest in Shreveport, Louisiana. Jenny Brennan shocked a number of people coming out with a bang and locked up the runner-up position. Vanessa Prebyl found her groove again and finished in third. Full results posted below.

1. Barbara Bolotte
2. Jenny Drennan
3. Vanessa Prebyl
4. Christie Marquez
5. Abbie Burrows
6. Kelly Gonzalez
7. Kristy Robbins
8. Kira Rivera
9. Zara Pineda-Boorder
10. Veronica Boyd
11. Diana Fields
12. Safiya Johnson
13. Khanh Nguyen
14. Christy Merritt
15. Nicole Coleman
16. Janet Harding
17. Christina Vargas
18. Brandy Leaver

Filed Under: Contest Results, IFBB

Hardbody Bikini Pro Barbara Bolotte – WHO DAT?

May 21, 2011 by

Barbara Bolotte is a woman who will make you do a double take and has a smile that will light up a room. She took the Bikini stage by storm last year when she earned IFBB Pro status in just her first year of competing. She went on to finish fifth in her pro debut at the Houston Pro. She’s had some time to refine things with the help of IFBB Pro Mary Lado. I caught up with the New Orleans rising star as she heads into her second pro show.

 

Born In:
I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Currently Reside in:
New Orleans

What did you study at Southeastern Louisiana University?
I studied fine art, with a concentration in painting and drawing.

What did you want to be when you “grew up”?
I wanted to be a famous artist!

And now?
Now…a fitness icon…

Number of years competing:
One.

How did you get into NPC/IFBB Competition?
My best friend was competing in figure in a local show, and encouraged me to compete in bikini. I only dieted for three weeks haha, but I qualified for nationals!

You work with legendary Figure Pro Mary Lado – how did you two meet up and work together?
Jack Manson, a former trainer of the New Orleans Hornets and current Gymmatrix trainer, is an old friend of hers and felt we would be a perfect fit (he was absolutely right!)

What’s Gymmatrix?
Gymmatrix is a 24 hour gym where we also do group personal training. We train in small groups to make personal training affordable, and being around others keeps the clients motivated. www.gymmatrix.net

You finished in 5th at your pro debut. What’s the goal for this LA show?
I have spent every ounce of my energy, time, and dedication into winning this show. I have every intention of getting first.

Did you change anything up with your diet and training?
I changed up a lot of things! I added more cardio interval training, started taking boxing lessons twice a week, and I dieted much longer this time.

How long do you prep for a contest?
The hardcore physical training started four months out, and the diet started three months out.

What advice do you have for other women thinking of competing?
Competing is not for everyone. I don’t think people realize what a dramatic effect is has on your day to day life. If you are tough enough to handle it, it can be the most empowering and fulfilling experience.

Any supplements that you can’t live with out?
CLA and L-carnatine…

What do you do when you’re not working out?
When I’m not in competition mode, I spend most of my time enjoying the amazing city I live in. Count down till’ football season, WHO DAT’!!!!!!!

What’s behind “i take my clothes off when i drink tequila, nuf’ said….”?
I’m a good girl at heart, but tequila just makes me downright scandalous haha.

Favorite TV show?
The Office

Any hidden talents?
I build my own canvases, and do large scale oil paintings.

One of Barbara’s Paintings.

 

Weirdest thing a guy said as a pick up line?
“You have really nice eyebrows….”

What’s on your music playlist currently?
Britney Spears, Lil Wayne, David Guetta

Chicken or Fish?
Chicken

Rice or Sweet Potato?
Sweet potato

Who makes your suits?
I ordered my past couple of suits from suits you swimwear, and teenybbikini.

Did you find some clear heels?
Haha actually no. I couldn’t find any in Nola, so I resorted to overnighting them. You definitely pay for waiting until the last minute!

Where can peeps find out more info on you?
My website Barbarabolotte.com is currently under construction, but I have a twitter and facebook page that I stalk pretty frequently!

Anyone you want to give a shout out to?
I would like to give a special thank you to Mary Lado for being such an inspiration, and to my clients and co-workers at Gymmatrix for being a great support system.

All the best and I doubt many people will be left wondering WHO DAT?! before too long.

 

Filed Under: Interviews, News & Features

Live Coverage from the NPC JR USA

May 20, 2011 by

Follow the action from Charleston, LIVE! Just sit tight and watch the tweets roll in.



Filed Under: NPC

Hardbody Hook Up with The Sports Stylist – FREE APPAREL

May 19, 2011 by

Check this out Hardbody peeps! Thanks to our Hardbody style’n gurus, Cindy Whitehead aka The Sports Stylist® you have a chance at a Hardbody Hook up.

 

Here’s the skinny…


photo by Ian Logan

NUX clothing is giving one lucky HARDBODY the entire 3 piece outfit Cindy featured in the photo above – all in your size of course!

To enter visit the Nux website and check out all the cool apparel, then in the comments field on Cindy’s Blog write…

 

“I’m a hardbody and my favorite NUX item is _____________ because _________ . Thanks for the hook up Cindy!”


Must enter by May 31, 2011 – midnight PST. The contest is open to USA residents only. Cindy will announce the winner on June 1 – Good Luck!

** Skateboard and waist pouch are not included in the giveaway. 🙂

 

Filed Under: Cindy Whitehead - Sports Stylist®, News & Features

G’s Tip of the Week – Avocado Oil

May 19, 2011 by

Gina continues to show the avocado some love. This time she discusses avocado oil. Check it out.

 

Last week was all about the avocado and this week it is all about the oil. Avocado oil is a healthy alternative to vegetable oils. It is rich in monounsaturated fats just like olive oil and it is stable at high heat, which makes it great for cooking. It adds delicious flavor to sautes but also also makes a great base for salad dressings. High in beta-carotene, Vitamin E, and lutein and with such a delicious flavor, pick up some avocado oil and add it to your favorite dishes.

Try my favorite Avocado Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

Ingredients:
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• pepper to taste
• juice of one whole lime
• 1/2 cup Avocado Oil

Mix all together and drizzle over salad.

Gina Aliotti-Silva
Nutrition, Fitness & Lifestyle Consultant
www.ginaaliotti.com

Filed Under: Competitor's Corner

2011 NPC JR USA – Who Will Make History?

May 19, 2011 by

The National Level NPC season officially kicks off this weekend in Charleston, South Carolina. The show moves back to the East Coast and earlier in the year after a trial run in Houston, Texas last year. Most people agree that this is the right place and time to start the season. This year’s show will be one for the history books as the new Women’s Physique division will be introduced. It could be a sign of the times as 48 women have registered to compete in this new division and two of them will be awarded IFBB Pro status. There are only 7 women registered for female bodybuilding at this show. Sure, there aren’t pro cards awarded at this show for the female bodybuilders but that is a huge difference in entrants. Sadly there are only 8 fitness competitors registered and one of them will be awarded IFBB Pro status. It leaves many people wondering is this the end of Fitness? We’ll discuss that at another time but it certainly could be if more women don’t enter the upcoming shows.

 

The Figure division continues to be the largest, followed by bikini. Despite what some people think, Figure entrants have not decreased with the inception of the Bikini division. Two pro cards will be awarded in each division. The women will dominate this show with over 240 total hardbody ladies taking the stage. There will be 102 women in Figure and 76 women are entered in the Bikini division.

This show also introduces the new Men’s Physique division, which has been popular and continues to grow. Two men will be awarded IFBB pro status on Saturday night. Bob Chic will be the emcee of the evening and Tracey Greenwood will be making sure everything runs smoothly with the expediting duties. Promoters Shannon and Tres always take great care of the competitors and you can count on a first class production once again. There is a new host hotel, so please take note of that on the schedule below.

I, Isaac, will be the official NPC Photographer for the event. If you’d like to order a CD of individual competitor photos you may do so by downloading the PDF order form here. If you give this to me before the end of the weekend you will save some coin. Money Mark Mason will be handling the video for this show and if you’re interested in a DVD of the event, you can download his form here.

There are grocery stores and restaurants nearby the venue and host hotel. If you’re looking for a gym check out Pivotal Fitness. They will be letting anyone with a current NPC card train free. Maps are available at the host hotel.

We’ll be reporting live all weekend from Charleston so be sure to follow along on twitter @hardbodynews and on our facebook fan page. See ya in Charleston!

Complete info available at: http://www.npcjuniorusa.com.

 

There is a shuttle from the airport to the host hotel.
Hyatt Place Charleston Airport/Convention Center
3234 West Montague Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29418, USA
Phone: +1 843 302 8600
Fax: +1 843 302 8601

VENUE:
North Charleston Coliseum
5001 Coliseum Drive
North Charleston, SC 29418


SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

FRIDAY MAY 20, 2011
Location: HYATT PLACE

NPC OFFICE OPEN 5:00PM-9:00PM
ATHLETE CHECK IN / WEIGH IN 9:00AM-11:00AM or 5:00PM-7:00PM

*NOTE: Athletes are only required to check in once, either @ the morning session or the evening session. ATHLETES ARE NOT REQUIRED TO CHECK IN @ BOTH

SATURDAY MAY 21, 2011:
Location: PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

DOORS OPEN TO PUBLIC 8:00AM

PREJUDGING BEGINS 8:30AM

MEETING TIME:
FITNESS / WOMEN’S BODYBUILDING / MEN’S BODYBUILDING / MEN’S PHYSIQUE 7:30 AM
WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE 9:00 AM
FIGURE 9:30 AM
BIKINI 10:00 AM

PRE-JUDGING ORDER
FITNESS ROUTINES
WOMEN’S BODYBUILDING
MEN’S BODYBUILDING
MEN’S PHYSIQUE
WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE
FITNESS 2 PC
FIGURE
BIKINI

*THESE TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, FINAL TIMES WILL BE POSTED IN THE HYATT LOBBY FRIDAY NIGHT.

FINALS:
TOP 15 ALL DIVISIONS MANDATORY MEETING 5:00PM

DOORS OPEN TO PUBLIC 5:30PM
FINALS BEGIN 6:00PM

Filed Under: NPC

2011 IFBB Optimum Classic Bikini Preview & Poll

May 19, 2011 by

There are 19 women on the competitor roster for the 2011 Optimum Classic Pro Bikini. Only the top three finishers will receive an Olympia qualification and the competition will be fierce. No one in this line up has ever won an IFBB show before. Who do you think will be the queen of the nigh in Shreveport, Louisiana on Saturday night?

THE HARDBODY BREAKDOWN:
There is no clear cut winner in this contest. Someone will leave with their first pro win though. Abbie Burrows put herself on the map in California when she secured an Olympia qualification by placing third in her pro debut. She’s bringing a new suit and if she can put her nerves aside she could take home the top prize. Christy Merritt competed in the Olympia last yea and will look to do so again this year with a top three finish. Vanessa Prebyl locked in an Olympia spot at the end of last year with her finish at the Houston Pro. I like the look that Kristy Robbins brought to Orlando in her comeback. If she brings a little tighter booty to the stage I could see her in the top three. My dark horse pick to shake things up at this show is Barbara Bolotte. Barb has been training with retired Figure Champion, Mary Lado and I really like her look. She needed to be a little tighter when she debuted at the 2010 Houston Pro, where she finished fifth. I’m going to roll the dice and say Barbara surprises some people and qualifies for the Olympia here. I’d like to see Christina Vargas shake things up as she has polished her look and should be in the top call out.

There are certainly a number of other women who could be in the mix of things. Who ya like?

{democracy:194}

2011 IFBB/NPC Optimum Classic Schedule:
Fri. May 20th: Weigh-check in for NPC Athletes
5:00: – 7:00 p.m.

Fri. May 20th: Mandatory Meeting for all IFBB Athletes and Check-In
5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Sat. May 21st : IFBB Pro/NPC Check-In
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.

Sat. May 21st: IFBB Pro/NPC Pre- Judging
9:00 a.m.

Sat. May 21st : Mandatory meeting for IFBB Athletes
6:00 p.m.

Sat. May 21st: Mandatory Meeting for NPC Athletes
6:00 p.m.

Sat. May 21st: Finals for all athletes begin
7:00 p.m.

Filed Under: IFBB, IFBB & NPC

2011 IFBB Optimum Classic Figure Preview & Poll

May 19, 2011 by

The 2011 IFBB Optimum Pro Classic & NPC Optimum Classic Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, and Bikini Championships takes place this weekend in Shreveport, Louisiana. The contest is shaping up to be a very competitive event in the Figure division. Currently, there are 23 women slated to compete on May 21st. Who will leave with an Olympia qualification? There can only be three fortunate hardbody women. Cast your vote for who you think will win in the poll below.

 

THE HARDBODY SKINNY:
This one will be tough to call. On paper the odds on favorite to win this show has to be Candice Keene. She narrowly lost to Cheryl Brown at the Orlando Pro a couple weeks ago. You wouldn’t have heard many people argue had she walked away with the win there. If she stayed on her diet and brings a similar look to this show I think she’ll prevail. It’s a crap shoot for who will round out the top five. I’ve always liked Kristin Nunn’s physique and she’s come close to qualifying for the Olympia a few times. If she comes in at the top of her game she could be in the money. I like her chances for an Olympia qualification here. Kim Sheppard has a great physique and could be in the mix if her bottom half is tight. I like what Amy Vetter brought to Orlando and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her in the top five. Sara Hurrle has polished her physique and if she can pose with ease and not bring her shoulders up too high she could be in the hunt. Monica Mark-Escalante has been hit or miss. When she is tight and not packing too much muscle she’s in the mix for the top spot. If she comes in too big, too hard or too soft (all of which we’ve seen from her) she will be on the outside looking in. Others who could shake things up depending on what they bring to the stage… Krissy Chin, Tivisay Briceno, and Natalie Waples. Krissy has taken some time off and we’ll see what she’s done with the time off. I like Tivisay’s shape/structure and should be in the top two callouts. Natalie Waples showed she could hang in Figure when she came back after a stint in the bikini division.

Your guess is as good as mine on who the top three will be in this show. Three women will head to Las Vegas for the 2011 Olympia. Who do you think it will take the top prize?

{democracy:193}

2011 IFBB/NPC Optimum Classic Schedule:
Fri. May 20th: Weigh-check in for NPC Athletes
5:00: – 7:00 p.m.

Fri. May 20th: Mandatory Meeting for all IFBB Athletes and Check-In
5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Sat. May 21st : IFBB Pro/NPC Check-In
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.

Sat. May 21st: IFBB Pro/NPC Pre- Judging
9:00 a.m.

Sat. May 21st : Mandatory meeting for IFBB Athletes
6:00 p.m.

Sat. May 21st: Mandatory Meeting for NPC Athletes
6:00 p.m.

Sat. May 21st: Finals for all athletes begin
7:00 p.m.

Filed Under: IFBB, IFBB & NPC

Win a FREE Signed Nicole Wilkins DVD

May 12, 2011 by

Hardbody and two-time Figure International Champ, Nicole Wilkins have teamed up to offer you a sweet little deal. It’s simple and one lucky winner will receive a free signed copy of her new DVD, In Pursuit of a Dream.

All you have to do is visit Nicole’s facebook fan page and post,  I’m a hardbody and my dream is_____ . Post the sentence with what your dream is and you might be chosen. It’s whatever YOUR dream is and it can be anything. You have to post the whole sentence or it won’t count.

Good luck. The winner will be announced on Monday.

Filed Under: News & Features

Figure Champion Nicole Wilkins Answers YOUR Questions

May 12, 2011 by

The two-time Figure International Champion, Nicole Wilkins updates us with what she’s been up to lately. She definitely has a whirlwind travel schedule as being the champ. Nicole has been kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to answer questions from fans across the globe that she receives via her facebook fan page.  Check it out!

Hey! I’m in the middle of another busy travel month. After a relatively slow April things are picking up again. Earlier this month, I ventured down to Florida for a photo shoot for our new Met-Rx calendar. Last Saturday, I flew into Pittsburgh for Jim Manion’s Pittsburgh Pro to work the Met-Rx booth and see a lot of people in the industry I haven’t seen in a while. I’m glad I’m getting most of my travel out of the way in May, because I’ll be starting my prep again pretty soon as we are about 18 weeks out from the Tournament of Champions and 19 weeks from the Olympia. It’s going to be here before we all know it!

Last week I released my DVD!!! I am sooo excited that after almost a year putting this together it is finally complete!! It is only available on my website right now at www.nicolewilkins.com. The DVD goes in detail about everything I did gearing up for the 2010 IFBB Figure Olympia so if you’re interested, please check it out and let me know what you think. You can see the trailer here:

Here is another round of questions for all you Hardbody readers that I received through facebook or by email. Let me know if one of these was yours!

1. What do you do in your free time when you’re not training or getting ready for a competition?
When I am not training myself, I personal train clients one-on-one (Mon-Thurs) as well as online all throughout the week. In between clients, I am writing out programs, responding to emails, doing interviews, appearances, modeling, traveling for Met-Rx, competing, hosting and promoting seminars (July 2nd) as well as my show (NPC Nicole Wilkins and Natural Michigan Bodybuilding Championships in July), cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping etc. You know… the usual 🙂 I love to be busy and am definitely a type A personality. I am traveling almost every weekend until the end of July, however in April I was home a majority of the time so I had a great time catching up with old friends and going on movie dates.

2. How many minutes of cardio do you do and how often in your off-season?
In the off-season I do anywhere from 30 min to an hour and a half 6 days a week depending on how I feel. I love doing cardio. It is MY time to focus on ME. It is very therapeutic.

3. What are your thoughts on sugar free gum and sweetners like Splenda when getting ready for a show?
I am a gum addict! Gum does have a ton of artificial sweeteners and if taken in overabundance, can cause painful stomach cramps as well as water retention. Splenda I only use on occasion- I have switched over to Stevia. I love liquid cinnamon Stevia. Typically, I cut gum and all sweetners out about 2 weeks from a show.

4. I recently competed and gained a lot of weight the week after the contest, and now I feel horrible. How do you avoid post contest rebounds?
A rebound occurs after a contest or diet when a person has a huge amount of calories for multiple days in a row – especially if they are foods your body is not used to having (i.e. cookies, candy, chips, pizza etc). Think about it – you haven’t had anything processed for weeks on end. When you eat foods like this all of a sudden your body is in total shock, yet you don’t just have one meal, you have days of these meals. You are going to get bloated, swollen, lethargic and put back on a lot of the weight you worked so hard to drop.

I did this early in my competitive career too, but after a while I realized it just wasn’t smart, and it definitely wasn’t fun. I recommend having a cheat meal or two after the show, then getting right back on a clean-eating plan. That’s what I do, I just increase portion sizes a little bit at times. Healthy foods make you feel great, give you tons of energy, so you’ll feel a lot better and have a lot more energy for your workouts.

5. I recently read a Facebook post from another pro figure where she said that treadmills weren’t good for sprinting. I live in Pennsylvania, so I can’t always get outside for my cardio work, especially during the winter. I notice you do sprints on a treadmill and was wondering what are your thoughts on this?
Being that I live in Michigan – somewhere where the weather is cold and snowy for over half the year as well – I do all of my running indoors on the treadmill, including sprints, when I’m prepping for shows like the Figure International. I can’t get outside during those months, and it wouldn’t be smart for me to go run on icy roads and risk injury. It’s been well documented that high intensity interval training is better for burning fat than slow and steady cardio, so if someone is faced with the option of doing HIIT cardio on a treadmill or not at all, I recommend doing it on a treadmill.

During the summer I do most of my sprint and cardio workouts outside, but I will still use the treadmill on occasion when I’m pressed for time. Sometimes I have up to 8 clients a day. Between that, training clients online and whatever else I may have to do, there are days when I don’t have time to drive to a track or go somewhere I can do my HIIT work outside – I may have to fit in my training between 2 and 3 before training clients from 4 to 9, then do my cardio after that and still get home, eat and get to bed at a reasonable hour. Maybe if someone doesn’t work a full time job they can do that, but there are a lot of women like me who don’t have that luxury. I can only imagine how hard that would be for someone who has two kids at home!

So basically no, I don’t agree with that statement. It depends on the individual and what works best for their body, their schedule and their lifestyle. There are way too many variables involved to definitively say that.

I hope this helped some of you who asked or had the same questions. If you have any more, check out my site at www.nicolewilkins.com and contact me there or through Facebook at www.facebook.com/nicolewilkins01. See you next time!

Filed Under: BLOGS

G’s Tip of the Week: Benefits of an Avocado

May 12, 2011 by

Gina Aliotti has a helpful tip this week for all you avocado lovers. Check it out!

 

It’s that time of year again, March through September is avocado season! This rich and wonderful monounsaturated fatty acid has so many powerful benefits, including being associated with lower cardiovascular disease and encompassing so many vitamins, including potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins, folic acid and fiber. This delicious fruit can be added to your favorite salads or even eaten by themselves! Try adding them to your protein shake or smoothie for a touch of fat and added creaminess.

Tip: To speed up the process of ripening an avocado, place it in a bag with some other ripe fruit. To slow down the process, place it in the refrigerator.

Gina Aliotti-Silva
Nutrition, Fitness & Lifestyle Consultant
www.ginaaliotti.com

Filed Under: Competitor's Corner

Sheru Classic Changes from Bikini to Figure

May 12, 2011 by

An update for all IFBB pros planning out their contest schedule. The IFBB Pro League has informed me that The Sheru Classic Asian Grand Prix Pro Bikini set for September 24, 2011 in Mumbai has been changed to The Sheru Classic Asian Grand Prix Pro Figure.

Filed Under: News & Features

SAN Signs IFBB Bikini Pro Jessica Jessie

May 11, 2011 by

SAN Nutrition continues to show their support for the HARDBODY women in the industry and this time it comes via signing IFBB Pro Bikini competitor, Jessica Jessie. Jessica was the 2010 NPC Jr. Nationals overall bikini winner and has gone on to become one of the top pros in less than a year.

Matt Boldt & Jessica Jessie at the San booth.

Jessica is managed by Fitness Management Group (FMG) and they had this to share.

FMG is happy to announce that IFBB Bikini Pro Jessica Jessie has signed with SAN Nutrition as one of their endorsed athlete’s.  FMG & SAN have had a great working relationship the past 2 years with SAN hiring many of our athletes to work at their booth at various expos.  Earlier in the year owner Matt Boldt & I had correspondence regarding endorsement contracts & we are extremely happy that SAN has chosen Jessica Jessie to represent them.  Many thanks to Matt & Diana for all their support & help the past 2 years.

I caught up with Jessica after it become official. She has this to say.

I’m so excited and honored to be part of Team SAN. I first worked for them during the 2010 Olympia while I was competing.  SAN’s owner Matt was so kind and supportive to me that I immediately told my manager J.M. Manion that I wanted to work for them exclusively. I love SAN’s line of supplements and the way they have helped me change my physique. So when J.M. called me and told me SAN wanted to endorse me as an IFBB pro athlete I didn’t hesitate.  This is a dream come true!  I look forward to writing blogs on SANN.net about how SAN is helping me with my fitness journey and I can’t wait to do my first photo shoot for the company. With SAN on my side, I know the best is yet to come for me on and off the stage. Thank you Matt and Team SAN for giving me this opportunity of a lifetime! I will make you proud!

You can see Jessica compete at the IFBB NY Pro Bikini on May 28 and follow her on twitter @Bikinipro.

Filed Under: News & Features

Live Coverage from the NPC and IFBB Pittsburgh

May 7, 2011 by

Today the NPC Pittsburgh Championships and IFBB Pittsburgh Pro get started at 9am EST. Follow us on twitter.com/hardbodynews for live updates or stay on this page and watch the tweets roll in. This will be some of the best competition in figure and bikini that we’ve seen all year.

PREJUDGING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
8am – Competitor Meeting
9am – Prejudging

ORDER OF EVENTS (NPC unless noted)
Open Men
Closed Men
Novice Men
Men Over 3
Men Over 40
Men Over 50
Men Over 60
Teen Men
Men Physique
IFBB Pro Figure
IFBB Pro Bikini
Women Bodybuilding
Fitness two piece – routines at finals
Open Figure
Over 35 Figure
Open Bikini
Over 35 Bikini



Filed Under: IFBB

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