Home » Archives for April 2012

Archives for April 2012

Europa Super Show of Champions Results

April 29, 2012 by

Another IFBB Pro show is in the books. Candice Keene returned to the winner’s circle in the Figure competition and Patricia Mello notched her first victory in the new Women’s Physique Division. Complete results posted below.

IFBB EUROPA SUPER SHOW OF CHAMPIONS – FIGURE
1. Candice Keene
2. Candice John
3. Ann Titone
4. Cheryl Brown
5. Aleisha Hart
6. Holly Beck
7. Natalie Waples
8. Melisa Brooke Erickson
9. Melissa Frederick
10. Maria Jose Garcia
10. Ryan Hays Althoff
12. Tamara Ribeiro-Bailey

IFBB EUROPA SUPER SHOW OF CHAMPIONS – WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE
1. Patricia Mello
2. Jillian Reville
3. Ayanna Carroll
4. Joelle Smith
5. Jennifer Robinson
6. Petra Mertl
7. Jennifer Smythe
8. Cea Anna Kerr
9. Kim Tilden
11. Cassandra Floyd
11. Marina Lopez
12. Tammy Patnode
13. Rose Anne Duvigneaud
14. Amanda Brawn Harris
15. Jordan Rene Seals
16. Beverly DiRenzo
17. Tessa Wood
18. Aurelia Grozajova
19. Cindy Phillip
19. Mikalla Soto
19. Stacey Pillari

Filed Under: Contest Results, IFBB

Live Coverage from The Europa Show of Champions

April 27, 2012 by

The 2012 Europa Show of Champions is under way and we’re live from Orlando. The IFBB Pros take the stage at 3pm EST followed by the NPC competitors at 6pm. The expo is always packed and this year should be no different. We’ll be providing live coverage all weekend long and providing access, commentary and more!

europa

If you’re on twitter, you can see the live updates via twitter.com/hardbodynews, twitter.com/MusclePhone and twitter.com/BBcomcontests. Joining in the coverage? Use the hashtag #OrlandoPro for the event in all your tweets. You can see what everyone is tweet’n about with that tag by checking out hashtags.org/OrlandoPro.

Visit NPCnewsonline.com and Bodybuilding.com throughout the weekend for photographic coverage.



Stay tuned for more coverage throughout the weekend. Good luck to everyone competing this weekend.

Filed Under: IFBB

IFBB Europa Show of Champions – Orlando Pro

April 24, 2012 by

The IFBB Pros will be heading to Orlando this weekend for the Europa Show of Champions. This year the event will play host to Pro Figure, Women’s Physique, Men’s Physique and Men’s Bodybuilding 212. The ladies are leading the way with the competitor turn out. It appears 20 women will enter the Physique division and 14 are headed to the Figure competition. This could change come show time but regardless it will be a highly competitive line up.

The women’s physique will feature a variety of physiques and if the trend continues look for the Figure and Fitness crossovers to fair better than the female bodybuilders. The figure competition is wide open but don’t be surprised if it’s not a battle between Candice Keene, Cheryl Brown and Ann Titone for the top spots.

2012 Show of Champions Pro Women’s Physique Competitors
1. Ayanna Carroll (Baltimore, Maryland)
2. Beverly DiRenz (Cape Coral, Florida)
3. Roseanne Duvigneaud (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida)
4. Cassandra Floyd (Marietta, Georgia)
5. Aurelia Grozajova (Slovakia)
6. Amanda Harris (Kingston, North Carolia)
7. Cea Anna Kerr (saskatchewan, Canada)
8. Marina Lopez (Aurora, Colorado)
9. Patricia Mello (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
10. Petra Mertl (Czech Republic)
11. Tammy Patnode (Lake Placid, New York)
12. Cindy Phillips-Hodgkinson (Nova Scotia, Canada)
13. Stacy Pillari (Wilmington, North Carolina)
14. Jillian Reville (Ridgefield, Connecticut)
15. Jennifer Robinson (Troy, Alabama)
16. Jordan Seales (Tampa, Florida)
17. Joele Smith (Hattiesburg, Mississippi)
18. Jennifer Smythe (Laurence Harbor, New Jersey)
19. Mikaila Soto (Hanover Park, Illinois)
20. Tessa Wood (North Charleston, South Carolina)

2012 Show of Champions Pro Figure Competitors
1. Ryan Althoff (High Point, North Carolina)
2. Holly Beck (Sarasota, Florida)
3. Cheryl Brown (Sabford, Florida)
4. Melisa Brooke Erickson (Boise, Idaho)
5. Melissa Frederick (North Charleston, South Carolina)
6. Maria Jose Garcia (Spain)
7. Aleisha Hart (Ontario, Canada)
8. Ryan Hays Althoff (High Point, North Carolina)
9. Candice John (Trinidad)
10. Candice Keene (Maitland, Florida)
11. Tamara Ribeiro-Bailey (Trinidad)
12. Kim Tilden (Ontario, Canada)
13. Ann Titone (St. Louis, Missouri)
14. Natalie Waples (Nova Scotia, Canada)

PRIZE MONEY:
Women’s Physique
1. $3,000
2. $1,000
3. $1,000

Figure
1. $3,000
2. $2,000
3. $1,000

EXPO TIMES:
Friday Doors Open at 2pm
Saturday Doors Open at 9am

IFBB PRO MEETINGS
Thursday – 7pm – Peabody Hotel

IFBB PRE-JUDGING
Friday – 3pm – Convention Center

IFBB FINALS
Saturday – 3:30pm – Convention Center

NPC EUROPA PREJUDGING
Friday – 6pm – Convention Center

NPC EUROPA FINALS
Saturday – 11am – Convention Center

For more information visit: www.europaexpo.com

 

Filed Under: IFBB, Show Previews

Hardbody Poll – Vote For Your Favorite Spring Cover

April 24, 2012 by

Spring is upon us and the fitness magazines are leading the way with tips on how to “blast fat”, “burn more calories” and “get sexy”. According to our last poll, the three most popular fitness magazines you enjoy are Fitness RX for Women, Muscle & Fitness HERS and Oxygen. The current covers each take a different approach and we want to know which is YOUR favorite cover.

Fitness RX for Women features IFBB Bikini Pro India Paulino. India is shown jumping for joy and the lead is INSTANT ENERGY!

India Paulino - Fitness RX

Muscle & Fitness HERS features IFBB Bikini Pro Jennifer Andrews. Jennifer is shown holding a kettlebell on her shoulder and the lead is GET SEXY with K-BELLS.

Jennifer Andrews - Muscle & Fitness HERS

Oxygen showcases IFBB Pro Elaine Goodlad with the lead GET YOUR FLAT BELLY. Elaine is quoted on the cover, “At 48, I’ve never felt better!”

Elaine Goodlad - Oxygen Magazine

{democracy:234}
Filed Under: News & Features

Become the Face of Under Armour Women

April 24, 2012 by

Calling all hardbody women. This is a pretty cool opportunity to become one of three new faces of Under Armour Women. Under Armour wants you to declare a goal, document your journey and rise to the top. Can you do it?

Via whatsbeautiful.ua.com:

We’re going to show the world what beautiful really is. Are you in? The three women who push it the hardest and farthest will become the new faces of Under Armour Women and have their lives sponsored for a year with greatness, glory and gear. Step up. Declare your goal.

Under Armour will narrow the field down to 10 finalists after 9 weeks. The finalists will be chosen based on the best stories and content. Under Armour will chose two winners and the third will be based on public votes.

What’s Beautiful
1.  Declare A Goal
2.  Complete Challenges
3.  Win UA Glory

Via whatsbeautiful.ua.com:

Declare a goal. Then show us how it’s done.
There are hills to climb. And mountains to move. Weights to lift. And bars to raise. There are obstacles to destroy. And aspirations to build. Tell us your story from start to victory.

Over the course of 9 weeks, you’ll be asked to post videos, photos and motivating words that show us your drive, your competitive spirit and your ability to influence those around you.

There are 19 Under Armour Challenges. The first one everyone has to do first. The remaining 18 can be completed in whatever order you choose. And since this competition is about finding new faces for the most competitive brand in the world, you’ll also have the chance to go above and beyond the challenges. Prove to us you have more than what it takes.

What’s beautiful. Proven.
On June 26th, 10 finalists will be announced. These will be the competitors who’ve documented the most impressive, inspiring, monumental journeys. The final three will be declared the new faces of Under Armour. They will be the women who have gone the farthest, accomplished the most and posted the story to prove it. Two will be selected by Under Armour. One will be chosen based on public vote.

The prize
All 10 finalists will receive $1,000 in gear and will become part of the Women’s Advisor Group to make appearances for Under Armour.

For one year, Under Armour will sponsor the lives of the three winners with greatness, glory and gear. This will include: training with UA celebrity trainers, a nutritionist consultation and gear for a year featuring the latest Under Armour products. These three women will become the new faces of the brand,­ participating in Under Armour Women’s marketing efforts and gaining access to special events.

 

Visit  whatsbeautiful.ua.com and enter today. We spotted on  IFBB Pro already in the challenge. Let us know if you enter and post a link in the comments below. Let’s get a HARDBODY woman in the Under Armour HOUSE!

Lead image via  whatsbeautiful.ua.com

 

Filed Under: News & Features

Fat Loss Guides For Women Over 40

April 24, 2012 by

If you’re over 40 and looking for more information on how to lose fat, you’ll want to check this out. Take the step towards making your body the best its ever been by following these helpful fat loss, training and supplementation programs.

Check out these popular Bodybuilding.com Guides:

Jamie Eason’s LiveFit Trainer
– Our most popular plan – more than 5 million views!
– 3-phase body-sculpting, fat-burning workout routine.
– Includes recipes, shopping list, motivational tips and more!

Lee Labrada’s LeanBody Trainer
– Based on the best-selling “LeanBody” program.
– Fitness legend becomes your personal trainer!
– Daily video instruction – workouts, nutrition and more.

JNL – The Busy Mom Fitness Plan
– The at-home fitness solution for women on the go.
– Fast-paced workouts and easy meals for fast results!
– Simple to schedule, easy to juggle with family and career.

Burn Fat – 12 Week Burning The Fat Program
– Time to junk the fad diets and workouts for real gains!
– Smart meal planning for the busy lady-on-the-go!
– Science-based workout program for efficient progress!

 

Filed Under: TRAINING

Pizza & 7 Other Ways to Prepare Tuna

April 24, 2012 by

Tuna is loaded with protein but can get a bit boring to eat day in and day out. Bodybuilding.com has assembled 8 ways to prepare your tuna and overcome Tuna boredom. There’s some interesting recipes listed and a helpful print out for each.


Tuna Pizza Recipe
If you’re a pizza fanatic but don’t like what it does to your waistline, this is a much healthier alternative. Not only is this pizza lower in carbohydrates, but it’s packed with nutrition from fresh veggies to protein and slow-digesting carbs.

• 1 small whole wheat soft tortilla
• 2 tbsp pizza sauce
• 1 can of tuna
• Sliced mushrooms, onions, red peppers
• Sprinkling of low-fat, grated mozzarella cheese
• pices to taste: salt, black pepper, oregano, basil, fresh garlic or garlic powder

Smear the pizza sauce over the soft tortilla and then spread the tuna evenly over top. Next, add the sliced vegetables over the pizza, throw on the spices you like, and then sprinkle the cheese on top.

Place in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for about 6-8 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the tortilla looks crispy.

Check out all the recipes on Bodybuilding.com.

 

 

Lead image via bbcom

Filed Under: Recipes

Red Bull Air Drop

April 24, 2012 by

Red Bull continues to innovate and push the limits with their marketing. Today Red Bull is sharing the love by “giving wings” to millions of students around the world. Their latest stunt includes dropping crates of Red Bull across 400 campuses, in 55 countries, and 6 continents.

Visit Redbullairdrop.com to track where the drops have been made. You can also follow the tweets via #Airdrop. Following some of the tweets it’s a pretty wild stunt and it has people buzzing around the globe.

Filed Under: Ad Watch, Videos

Leave a Message – A Women’s Surf Film

April 24, 2012 by

While perusing Cindy Whitehead’s (our resident Hardbody style’n guru) blog, I ran across an ad featuring Lakey Peterson. The simple surfing image caught my attention and lead me to Nike.com/surfing. There was a nice assembly of female athletes but more interestingly was a link to a surfing film featuring only women. The film “leave a message” is a pretty rad collection of women surfing.

 

The film is well edited and has some sic footage of women doing incredible moves.

“Leave a Message”
“Leave a Message is a true testament of just how much this generation of surfers has changed their sport. This is a performance surf film, with an emphasis on performance. But beyond the groundbreaking aerials and long barrels is a message that transcends well beyond the lineup: they enjoy what they do and do it to the fullest. Unintentionally, they wrote a new script for women’s surfing.

Deliberately, they’ve left their message.

 

lead image via Cindy’s Blog.

Filed Under: Ad Watch, Surfing, Videos

Ad Watch: The Hardest Job in the World is also the Best

April 23, 2012 by

The 2012 Olympic games are quickly approaching and a number of companies are rolling out their new ads for the London Olympics. Proctor & Gamble released a commercial that’s been received a fair amount of buzz online. The ad showcases the moms behind Olympic athletes. They share, “Being a mom is the hardest job in the world. But it’s also the best.”

The spot is well done and it’s a creative piece that honors and celebrates women. P&G encourages you to say “Thank you, Mom” by sending your mom a message at,  http://www.facebook.com/thankyoumom.

lead image via Youtube.

Filed Under: Ad Watch

MMA with MOMO – UFC 145 Predictions

April 20, 2012 by

Our resident MMA Hardbody Monique aka Momo is back with her UFC predictions. While we don’t necessarily agree with her picks, we’re not going to argue with her over it. Monique not only follow MMA she practices is and is quite good. Check out who Momo thinks will win this weekend at UFC 145.

MMA with Monique

Hello Hardbodies!
The weekend is coming and after a week of work, pumping iron and the daily grind on the mat….I dont know about you but I am excited for a day of rest! We all know to grow…you have to rest… so our muscles can recover. 🙂 What better way than to relax with good friends and watch some warriors battle?

This weekend we have some exciting fights for UFC 145. Finally, we will see the long waited match between light heavyweights ” suga” Rashad  Evans vs Jon “bones” Jones. There’s alot of hype for this fight and it should be a good one.  Here are my predictions!

Hominick vs Yagin –  Hominick for the win! He just has more experience in the cage.

Torres vs McDonald – This fight could go either way…. Torres is the more experienced fighter… and back in the day use to be unbeatable! McDonald, up and coming and is very hungry! I will call Mcdonald by decision.

Schaub vs Rothwell – The MuscleTech athlete (well Six-Star but close enough), Schaub with submission rear via naked choke second round! Rothwell tries hard and is a brawler though.

Macdonald vs Mills – Def Macdonald for the win on this fight. He has fought some tough fights in the past with his only loss to Carlos Condit, the current welterweight champion of the UFC.

Rashad vs Jones –The main fight of the night, it will be the classical bad blood between two ex-training partners who are fighting for more than money, the title or fame. These guys hate other and not only do they wanna kick each others butt, but they also are fighting for their honor. Suga Rashad Evans the older man, feels betrayed by his coach for putting more expectations on a young fighter than a fighter who helped build his fame. Long Bones Bones, claims he didn’t do anything wrong and is a professional and will fight whoever the UFC puts him to fight. I am going with MuscleTech athlete Jon Jones because he is coming from a wining streak and his confidence is at maximum level. And like Arnold, I believe that mind is more important the body because it creates the will….and Jones will is to crush rashads a$$. Jones by submission.

What do you think Hardbody Nation? Agree or not so much?

Filed Under: MMA, News & Features Tagged With: , , , ,

Decoding What’s in Your Food with Fooducate

April 19, 2012 by

Every year since the mid 1990s, an increasing number of farmers have adopted the use of GM (genetically modified) plants. With the world population currently topping 6 billion people and predictions that that figure will double in 50 years, some think GMO (genetically modified organisms) are the answer to ensuring an adequate food supply. But are they safe? The hosts of the Emmy Award-winning syndicated daytime talk show THE DOCTORS address the controversy surrounding GMOS (genetically modified organisms) on Friday, April 20 (check your local listings).

What are GMOs?
As it relates to agriculture, GMO technology is an FDA-approved, patent-protected process that creates food crops that are resistant to commercial herbicides, are able to produce pesticidal proteins from within the plant, or they do both. In the United States, more than 90% of all corn, soybean and canola oil come from GM corn, soybean and rapeseed plants, meaning that all products using those oils have GM ingredients.

The FDA has approved the GMO process, but the scary thing is that the long-term effects of consumption are unknown, AND farmers and manufacturers are not required to label GM foods.

What do THE DOCTORS recommend?
THE DOCTORS suggests buying organic produce whenever possible. Use the PLU sticker as a guide—a five-digit code beginning with “9” is organically grown, while a four-digit code starting with “4” is a conventional, or potentially a GM product.

For packaged foods, check out an app called Fooducate, which scans barcodes and provides an overall “grade” for a particular food. It also provides product highlights (good and bad) as well as a comparison to similar items, equipping the consumer with enough information to make a decision on his/her own.

All information provided by MPRM Communications

Filed Under: News & Features, NUTRITION

New IFBB Pro Show added to Schedule – Prague, Czech Republic

April 19, 2012 by

A new show has been added to the IFBB Pro League schedule and should take the 2012 competitive season out with a bang. Promoter Jarka Lorie Schneider will be holding the IFBB Pro World Fitness, Figure and Bikini in conjunction with the Masters Olympia. Joe Weider’s Olympia weekend and the IFBB Pro League made the official announcement via npcnewsonline.com.

The men’s Masters Olympia will be open to any IFBB Pro League competitor over the age of 40. The women’s events will be open to all IFBB Pro League women in good standing. The women’s portion is an open show and not a master’s event. The Masters Olympia will be for the open Men’s Bodybuilding. The event will take place in Prague, Czech Republic and be held on December 7-8, 2012.

“This year’s event will be even bigger and better now that we are joining forces with the Olympia,” said promoter Jarka Lorie Schneider, who promoted the Pro Masters World Championships. “It will be very exciting.”

PRIZE MONEY
IFBB Pro World Fitness, Figure and Bikini
1st place: $7,000
2nd place: $5,000
3rd place: $3,000

For more information visit masterolympia.com

Filed Under: IFBB, News & Features

Arnold Champs at Pittsburgh Comicon

April 19, 2012 by

This weekend in Pittsburgh, PA you can see Arnold champs Adela Garcia and Sonia Gonzales in a unique way. The two will be appearing in costume for the Pittsburgh Comicon at the IRON SIRENS booth. The event is sure to be jam packed with the legendary Stan Lee in attendance.


INFO:
• Dates: April 20-22, 2012
• Times: Fri 1:00pm – 7:00pm — Sat 10:00am – 6:00pm — Sun 10:00am – 5:00pm
• Comicon Website: http://www.pittsburghcomicon.com
• Adela & Sonia will be there all 3 days selling comics, selling photos & selling autographs.
• Debuting Issue #7 & people the chance to purchase all 7 issue’s individually & a special on purchasing all 7 together.
• Booth P007 which is next to Peter Mayhew/Chewbacca.
• Adela & Sonia will be wearing new costumes custom designed by new IFBB Bikini Pro Lexi Kaufman & her company ForeverSwag Bikinis.
• Also at the booth will be creator JM Manion, co-creator Ian Ascher and talented artist Jerry Beck.

Filed Under: News & Features

Spring Training Guide – Weeks 1 & 2

April 17, 2012 by

Summer is quickly approaching and thanks to Bodybuilding.com you can mix up your Spring Training with a new workout. Check out the training, nutrition and supplement plan designed to help you get the body you want. It might be a beginner’s guide for some of you but take a look at some of the training and you might pick up a new exercise or two.

 

Overview

  • Use light weight and higher reps at the beginning of the workout to help enhance blood flow to muscles and burn more calories as you train.
  • With each circuit you’ll go heavier and use lower reps to stimulate your fast-twitch muscle fibers and keep your body in fat-burning mode after the workout is over.
  • Focus on compound movements to maximize the amount of work done in this short, full-body routine.
  • To keep your heart rate up, you’ll perform five minutes of cardio between each circuit at 70-75% maximum heart rate (MHR).
  • Use an average tempo like 2/1/2 (two seconds to lower the weight, one second pause, and two seconds to lift it) to ensure you perform each exercise properly.
  • Perform 45-60 minutes of cardio on your cardio days, working at 75% of your MHR.

The Workout Split

Day 1: Upper-body Circuit, Abs
Day 2: Lower-body Circuit
Day 3: Cardio, Abs
Day 4: Upper-body Circuit, Abs
Day 5: Lower-body Circuit
Day 6: Cardio, Abs
Day 7: Rest

Visit Bodybuilding.com for the complete overview and exercises. There’s also some helpful info on nutrition as well.

Filed Under: TRAINING

Lolo Jones: 12 years for 12 seconds – Oakley Beyond Reason

April 17, 2012 by

US Olympic hurdling hopeful Lolo Jones is becoming one of the most talked about female athletes of the Olympic Games. She’s racking up sponsorships with Asics, Red Bull, Oakley and more. In this spot for Oakley she talks about how she has prepared the last 12 years for her chance at Olympic Gold and it will happen in under 12 seconds on the track.

Lo2 is shown on the track as well as in the gym. I love the music choice by the team at Oakley, La Roux – In For The Kill – Skrillex Remix. Check it out.

Follow Lolo on twitter and check out her Facebook page. She’s A HARDBODY and one of the more entertaining athletes.

Lead images via youtube video shown.

Filed Under: Ad Watch, Videos

2012 IFBB Pro Grand Prix Men & Women Physique Results and Photos

April 15, 2012 by

The second IFBB Pro Men’s Physique and fourth women’s physique competition is in the books. Mark Anthony made his pro debut and it was a successful one. He was the unanimous winner in the judge’s eyes. Sara Hurrle collected her second title in her third pro show. She bested the deepest and most competitive field to date. While the new divisions don’t have an Olympia qualification up for grabs they do offer bragging rights, some cold hard cash and this show had monster swords for awards. The next stop for the Physique divisions is the Orlando Supershow. That will be the first time the new pro divisions are held on the East Coast.

Visit Bodybuilding.com for complete stage and candid photos from this show. Official scorecards are available at IFBBpro.com.

IFBB PRO GRAND PRIX WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE RESULTS:
1. Sara Hurrle
2. Patricia Mello
3. Sabrina Taylor
4. Karina Nascimento
5. Stacy Simons-McDowell
6. Joele Smith
7. Carrie Simmons
8. Cea Anna Kerr
9. Trish Wood
10. Venus Nguyen
11. Marina Lopez
12. Kris Murrell
13. Donna Jones
14. Tonia Moore
15. Mascha Tieken
16. Irina Veselova

IFBB PRO GRAND PRIX MEN’S PHYSIQUE RESULTS:
1. Mark Anthony Wingson
2. Collin Humphrey
3. Miguel Aguilar
4. Burton Hughes
5. Alex Carneiro
6. Bobby Ashhurst
7. Angel Cordero
8. Matt Christianer
9. Ryan Hughes
10. Tyler Larson

Filed Under: Contest Results, IFBB

Robert Kennedy, Founder of Oxygen Magazine, Loses Battle With Cancer

April 13, 2012 by

Robert Kennedy had faced many battles in his life and overcame them. Unfortunately he was unable to defeat the biggest obstacle of his life, cancer. It’s with a heavy heart and sadness that we share this awful news. Bob passed away today at the age of 73.

 

News from Robert Kennedy Publishing:

It is with great sadness that we, the staff of Robert Kennedy Publications, announce the passing of Robert Kennedy, our company’s founder and inspirational leader. Bob passed away on April 13, at home after losing his heroic battle with cancer. He was 73 years old. Bob was surrounded by family and friends. He is survived by his beloved wife, Tosca Reno and his four daughters, Chelsea Kennedy, 19, Rachel Corradetti, 27, Kiersten Corradetti, 24 and Kelsey-Lynn Corradetti, 20. Bob’s only son, Braden Robert James Kennedy passed away last March, at the tender age of 23.

Bob’s life work, dedication and impact on bodybuilding, health and fitness has been a source of inspiration to tens of millions of people and his legacy as a pioneer in this field will continue.

If you would like to leave a comment, please do so at: http://www.rkpubs.com/bob/

 

Last weekend long time friend Arnold Schwarzenegger paid Bob a visit in Canada. Tosca Reno shared the memories in her blog and reminds us all that we never know what tomorrow will bring. Her last blog post shared, “Who knows what the night or tomorrow will bring, but we all love you Robert Kennedy. I love you.”

Read Robert’s story and leave a comment at kpubs.com/bob. Every one in the bodybuilding and fitness community has been touched by Robert Kennedy whether they met Bob or not. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bob’s family, friends and staff at RKP. Rest in Peace.

Lead image via RKP.

Filed Under: News & Features

Cover Girl Nathalia Melo on Expresso do Esporte

April 13, 2012 by

We don’t speak or understand Portuguese so unfortunately we have no clue of what is being said here. We’re told appearing on Expresso do Esporte is a pretty big deal in Brazil. Check out the interview that Expresso do Esporte did with cover girl and champion IFBB Bikini Pro Nathalia Melo.

Nathalia tells us she had the opportunity to explain what the difference between women’s bodybuilding and bikini is as well as share more about herself and her training. The tv show also highlights some of the magazines she’s appeared in (and on) throughout the show. The also show Nathalia rock’n a hardbody in Olympia video footage.

Entire interview at http://sportv.globo.com/videos/expresso-do-esporte/. Visit Nathalia’s Facebook page and say hello.

Lead images from interview.

Filed Under: News & Features

Ingrid Romero – The importance of listening to your body

April 12, 2012 by

2011 Arnold Amateur Bikini winner, Ingrid Romero gave birth to twins on April 6, 2012. She stay fit during her entire pregnancy and tragically it was cut short. Ingrid’s twins were born prematurely and she shares the story in a recent blog post.

 

An excerpt from her blog she shares,

This has been the hardest thing I ever faced in my entire life… while in surgery I was in a cloud the only thing I remember is trying to look over the green sheet to see if my babies were ok. On April 6 at 12.28pm baby Gianni was born weighting 3.1 oz and measure 14.3 inches. Nicco was second only weighing 2.11 oz and measure 15.1 inches. They were so little….and they were both crying.. that sound was the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. Doctors updated me soon and they were both healthy.

She talks about the challenges she faced with her first doctor and the need to switch to another. Ingrid writes, “After my experience I want to help other twin moms to the importance of listening to your body and alway seek advice of a qualified professional that you trust.” She goes on to share, “I had the worst experience with my doctor that always made me think everything was ok even when I knew it wasn’t. Don’t be afraid of changing Doctors until you find the right one for you.”

Read her entire story here and post comments on her site showing your support for her and her newborns. Our thoughts are with you and your babies!

 

Lead Photo by Ron Avidan.

Filed Under: News & Features

Inspirational Videos – How great are you?

April 12, 2012 by

Typically, when an ad comes up on a youtube video you click past it as soon as possible, right? We usually do however this ad, which is actually a quite lengthy video in the online realm, caught our attention. The visuals combined with the voice over from Muhamad Ali and Rocky are pretty inspiring.


The video that was shown as an ad showing scenes from http://www.spartanrace.com. Pretty cool images and video footage. The video title is Inspiration: Powerful Beyond Measure (how great are you?). Great question!

After doing a little searching it seems the audio originated from MOTIVATION – “Be Great, Powerful Beyond Measure” – Best Inspirational Video Ever [Original] on Youtube.

Regardless of which video you prefer there are some great quotes included. The audio includes clips from audio clips from Muhammad Ali, Rocky, and Coach Carter.

The transcript from Youtube.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure, beyond measure.

Ima show you, how great I am.

Last night I cut the light off in my bedroom, hit the switch, and was in the bed before the room was dark.

Ima show you, how great I am.

Only last week, I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalized a brick, Im so mean I make medicine sick.

Ima show you, how great I am.

This kids gonna be the best kid in the world.
This kids gonna be somebody better than anybody I ever knew.

Ima show you, how great I am.

I have wrastled with an alligator, I done tussled with a whale, I done handcuffed lightnin, thrown thunder in jail.

Ima show you, how great I am.

All you chumps are gonna bow when I whoop him, all of you, I know you got him, I know youve got him picked, but the mans in trouble, Ima show you how great I am.

But somewhere along the line you changed, you stopped being you.
You let people stick a finger in your face and tell you youre no good, and when things got hard, you started looking for something to blame, like a big shadow.
Let me tell you something you already know, the world aint all sunshine and rainbows, its a very mean and nasty place and I dont care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.
You, me, or nobody, is gonna hit as hard as life; but it aint about how hard you hit, its about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much you can take and keep moving forward.
Thats how winning is done.

Cause if youre willin to go through all the battling you gotta go through to get to where you wanna get, whos got the right to stop you.
I mean maybe some of you guys got something you never finished, something you really want to do, something you never said to somebody, something.
And youre told no even after you pay your dues, whos got the right to tell you that, who? Nobody.
Its your right to listen to your gut, it aint nobodys right to say no, after you earn the right to be where you want to be and do what you want to do.

Now if you know what youre worth, then go out and get what youre worth.
But youve gotta be willing to take the hits.
And not pointing fingers saying you aint where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody.
Cowards do that and that aint you!
Youre better than that!

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

All you chumps are gonna bow when I whoop him, all of you, I know you got him, I know youve got him picked, but the mans in trouble, Ima show you how great I am.

Filed Under: News & Features, Videos

Pro Skateboarder Cindy Whitehead’s Hardbody Gym Jams

April 12, 2012 by

Our resident style’n guru Cindy Whitehead aka The SportsStylist® shares some of her top gym jams with us. Cindy was a professional skateboard in the mid 70s to early 80s and taught the boys a thing of two along the way. She was sponsored by a number of top companies and wasn’t afraid to throw on her headphones and rip it up. Check out what the always awesome Cinster has on her current playlist and her insight on music then and now.

 

Cindy Music Insight:

Music has always been a motivator for me when skateboarding, snowboarding or working out in the gym.

When I started skateboarding in 1/2 pipes and pools I wore old school headphones (hey, don’t laugh! It was way before ipods!) I used to be known for waiting at the entrance to pipe or pool and once I found a song on the radio I liked I’d cut the boys off to do my run – even if it wasn’t technically my turn.  When it came time to compete I was lucky that they used to allow you to skate to your own music for your runs and that made a huge difference to me, as the more aggressive the music, the more I felt that I kicked ass and did my best.

Same with snowboarding and working out – music motivates me in every way. The beat, the lyrics the tempo. I change my playlists up constantly depending on my mood but there is always a mix of old school rock, pop and semi-alternative music going on. I get to hear a lot of different music on shoots and that’s where I always seem to pick up some new ideas to keep the play list fresh and motivating.

Rock on and kick ass – no matter where you choose to work out or what you listen to.

Cindy’s Top Hardbody Gym Jams:
1. Are You Gonna Be My Girl – Jet
2. Walk – Foo Fighters
3. S&M – Rihanna
4. Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5, Christina Aguilera
5. Born This Way – Lady Gaga
6. Raise Your Glass – P!nk
7. Proud Mary – Tina Turner
8. Goin’ Down – The Pretty Reckless
9. Good Life – OneRepublic
10. Bad Romance – Lissie

If you’re a Spotify Listener you can check out the playlist on here.

Check out Cindy’s blog at cindywhitehead.blogspot.com. Also make sure you follow her on  twitter.com (@sportsStylist). If you haven’t “liked” her Facebook page check it out… facebook.com/SportsStylist

photos provided by Cindy Whitehead

Filed Under: Hardbody Gym Jams

Shake Up Your Training with 21s

April 12, 2012 by

If you’re looking to shake up your training you’ll want to give “21s” a try. Bodybuilding.com has a a comprehensive article and program on how you can breathe new life into your workout and take things to a new level. All exercises have a range of motion and with 21s this is broken down into three parts. Each range gets hit 7 times for a total of 21.

 

Benefits to 21s:
Increased Endurance: You’ll perform muscle-building exercises for longer amounts of time, challenging your muscular stamina and tolerance. While many single-joint exercises are performed in the 8- to 15-repetition range, 21s will require longer muscular endurance and vitality to support the grueling sets.

Muscle Confusion: By attacking repetitions from multiple starting and ending points, the atypical execution pattern will keep the body guessing and reacting to the shock value of the work.

Newbie-Friendly: Not only known for positive physical results, incorporating new training techniques into any exercise program can also enhance your physiological responses. Look forward to freshening up basic, no-nonsense moves, which can become monotonous and boring over time.

Time Saving: With 21s, fewer exercises per body part can be executed, due to the quick pump your muscles will feel during the longer sets and unique ROMs. One or two exercises per muscle group can be eliminated from your standard lifting plan when 21s are properly executed.

 

Visit Bodybuilding.com for the complete workout more information on the benefits of this type of training.

Image via Bodybuilding.com

Filed Under: TRAINING

National Physique Committee Announces March Athletes of The Month

April 12, 2012 by

The National Physique Committee (NPC) has added a new section to NPCnewsonline.com that will showcase an athlete of the month from every division. NPC Chairman, Jim Manion will select an Athlete of the Month based on information provided by contest promoters. Encourage your local NPC promoters to get involved in with NPCNEWSonline.com and you will have a chance at being one of the selected athlete each month.

 

PRESS RELEASE:

NATIONAL PHYSIQUE COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES MARCH ATHLETES OF THE MONTH
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA (April 12, 2012) – George Peterson, Sheena Ohlig, Amber Leon, Amber Masino, Michael Anderson, Kelsie Bergin and Glenese Markes have been named the National Physique Committee’s Athlete’s of the Month for the month of March.

Each month, NPC Chairman Jim Manion will select an Athlete of the Month in each of the organization’s seven  divisions – Men’s and Women’s Bodybuilding, Figure, Bikini, Fitness and Men’s and Women’s Physique -  based on the information provided by contest promoters across the country and featured in the NPC News Online Contest Roundups every Monday.

“It was really the first full month of the NPC contest season, and we had some great athletes to choose from,” Manion said. “I was able to see a few of these athletes in person and was very impressed with the talent level in all of the divisions. It just goes to show how much the NPC has grown and continues to grow. Congratulations to all of the athletes who were selected.

Men’s Bodybuilding: Peterson, 27, from Jamaica, Queens, won the Light Heavyweight and Overall title at the Steve Stone New York Metropolitans on March 31 after a four-year layoff from competitions.

Women’s Bodybuilding: Markes, a former figure competitor who hasn’t competed since 2008, won the Overall at the Steve Stone Metropolitans on March 31.

Bikini: Bergin, competing for the first time, won the Overall at the Ronnie Coleman Classic on March 24. Bergin is 25 years old.

Figure: Masino, 31, won the overall at the Vancouver USA Naturals on March 24.

Fitness: Leon, 28, won the Overall in Fitness at the Vancouver USA Naturals on March 24.

Men’s Physique: Anderson, 39, won the Tall Class and Overall at the Natural Ohio Championships on March 24. Anderson has now won the overall title at his last three competitions.

Women’s Physique: Ohlig, 27, from Collingswood, New Jersey, won the Overall title in Women’s Physique at the Steve Stone Metropolitans on March 31.

For complete profiles and galleries of the NPC Athletes of the Month, go to www.npcnewsonline.com.

Contact:
Allan Donnelly
Editor
NPC News Online
editor@npcnewsonline.com

Filed Under: NPC Athletes of The Month

2012 IFBB Pro Grand Prix Preview

April 12, 2012 by

The two newest divisions of the IFBB Pro League will be front and center this weekend in Culver City, California. Ten men and sixteen women have entered the 2012 IFBB Pro Grand Prix and while no Olympia qualifications are up for grabs there’s some cash and bragging rights. This first time pro event, promoted by Jon Lindsay, will be a highly competitive show. There will also be a national qualifying NPC event held in conjunction with the pro event. Our West Coast correspondent, Ron Avidan will be covering the event and tweeting all the call-outs live.

 


THE HARDBODY 411:
This will be the fourth Women’s Physique Pro show of the year and as you can see by the line up the entrants continue to climb. Karina Nascimento won the first Women’s Physique Pro show and Sara Hurrle took top honors at the second pro show. The two will go head to head at this show but they’ll have a much tougher time than when they took to honors before. This show will have a wide variety of physiques and the judges will have a tough time separating the physiques. We’ll see former bodybuilders like Kris Murrell downsized in her pro debut and a number of fitness competitors making the switch. It’s going to be an interesting show to follow.

IFBB PRO GRAND PRIX WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE:
1. Sara Hurrle (Englewood, Colorado)
2. Donna Jones (Queensland, Australia)
3. Cea Anna Kerr (Saskatchewan, Canada)
4. Marina Lopez (Aurora, Colorado)
5. Tonia Moore (Bellflower, California)
6. Kris Murrell (Glendale, California)
7. Karina Nascimento (Boca Rotan, Florida)
8. Stacy Simons-McDowell (Blackwood, New Jersey)
9. Patricia Mello (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
10. Venus Nguyen (Irvine, California)
11. Carrie Simmons (Marina Del Rey, California)
12. Joele Smith (Hattiesburg, Mississippi)
13. Sabrina Taylor (Oceanside, California)
14. Mascha Tieken (Hillegum, Netherlands)
15. Irina Veselova (Manalapan, New Jersey via Russia)
16. Trish Wood (Roseville, California)

A number of the men who competed in the Men’s Physique division will be back for round two and we’ll see a couple new faces. Matt Christainer took top honors in the first ever show with Alex Carneiro in the runner-up position. Look for the two of them to be in the first call out again here. Ryan Hughes will be stepping on stage for the first time as a pro and don’t be surprised if he’s compared with the two of them for the win.

IFBB PRO GRAND PRIX MEN’S PHYSIQUE:
1. Miguel Aguilar (Temecula, California)
2. Bobby Ashhurst (Scottsdale, Arizona)
3. Alex Carneiro (Arvada, Colorado)
4. Matt Christainer (Schottdale, Arizona)
5. Angel Cordero (Avon, Ohio)
6. Burton Hughes (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida)
7. Ryan Hughes (Rego Park, New York)
8. Collin Humphrey (Highpoint, NC)
9. Tyler Larson (Calvert City, Kentucky)
10. Mark Anthony Wingson (Las Vegas, Nevada)

SHOW INFO:
Saturday, April 14, 2012
VETERAN’S MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM
Culver City, CA
Prejudging – 11AM
Finals – 6:30PM

For tickets and more info visit: http://lindsayproductions.com

Filed Under: IFBB, Show Previews

Try This Fat Burning Cardio Workout

April 11, 2012 by

Check out this 45 minute Fat Burning Cardio workout from cover girl Amanda Latona. Amanda updated her BSN Athlete blog and shared how she’s spent Easter weekend and a few thing she dined on. She wrapped up her blog with a cardio work out that she says will leave you dripping in sweat. It has us sweating just reading it but give it a try and let us and her know what you think of it.

AMANDA LATONA’S FAT BURNING WORKOUT:
– start with jumping rope, 100 rotations
– treadmill incline 8% jogging for 4 min.
– jump rope for 1 min.
– incline walk 15% for 4 min.
– jump rope 1 min.
– incline walk 15% for 10 min.
– jump rope 2 min.
– incline 8% jog for 3 min.
– incline walk 15% for 5 min.
– jump rope 2 min.
– stepmill for 10 min.
– jog 2 min., walk 1 min., cool down

45 minutes. No time to get bored…tons of fat burning! GET IT!

Visit BSNonline.net for more from Amanda.

Filed Under: TRAINING

Du darfst Encourage People to F*** The Diet

April 11, 2012 by

Germany company Du darfst is causing quite a stir with their new marketing campaign. The company is encouraging consumers to indulge in their products without the guilt of a diet. Say what? Their tagline is “F*ck the diet”. Well that certainly subtle, isn’t it?

 

 

Adage.com recently did a story on this new campaign and a spokeswoman for the company had this to say:

A spokeswoman for Unilever in Germany said in a statement Tuesday night: “Although the current Du Darfst campaign has become a bit of a talking point in Germany — as effective marketing should — it is targeted specifically at German consumers and uses language that we do not believe most German consumers find offensive. This is because the term in the campaign is frequently heard on German TV and radio, and is used in newspapers and magazines, and in the context of ‘let it be’ it is not censored or seen as inappropriate by most German consumers.”

The company feels that dieting has too many frustrating rules and their “F*ck The Diet” is the solution.  According to Adage, “Ms. Kayadelen, a TV personality, fitness coach and author, appears on Germany’s version of ‘The Biggest Loser’.” An interesting statistic mentioned in the article was that research has shown 80% f women see diets and complicated to implement and maintain.

Check out the TV spot below. Read the entire article on Adage.com.

Lead image via  Du darfst’s Facebook page.

Filed Under: Ad Watch

7 Tips for Smart Exercising with Pets in the Summer Heat

April 11, 2012 by

Did you know that almost half of the nation’s pets are overweight or obese? Pets are no different than humans when it comes to needing exercise to ensure health and longevity. To combat obesity in pets (and people), Heidi Ganahl, CEO and Founder of, Camp Bow Wow, North America’s largest and fastest growing pet care franchise, offers a 7 tips for “Smart Exercising with Pets in the Summer Heat,” below.

 



Tips for Smart Exercising with Pets in the Summer Heat
By: Heidi Ganahl, CEO and Founder of, Camp Bow Wow
Walking: Walking is a simple yet beneficial practice for both humans and pets alike. When walking with your pet, try to stay on dirt or grass paths, as too much walking or running on concrete can stress joints and irritate your dog’s foot pads. In warmer temperatures, concrete emanates heat which can increase the body temperature of your pet relatively quickly. Under these conditions, be sure to keep Fido properly hydrated.

Jogging: Jogging is a great form of exercise, but not all dogs are built to jog. If you want to jog with your pet, choose a breed that is suited to distance-running. Your jog with Fido should include five minutes of warm-up, 20 minutes of jogging, and five minutes of cool-down. During the summer, avoid jogging during the hottest times of the day and stop if your dog is lagging behind you.

Swimming: Another good, low stress option for exercise is swimming – it’s a great way to get you and your pup’s body in motion while staying cool in the summer heat. However, safety is a concern here as not all dogs are great swimmers. Even those that are can easily overexert themselves. Be sure to keep an eye out for fatigue at all times. You may also want to consider having your pet wear a doggie life vest.

Frisbee: A game of Frisbee provides a classic canine workout and some outdoor fun for both you and your pup. You can play a game in your own yard or join a “Disc Dog” team. Participating in competitions may give you and your dog greater motivation to practice regularly.

Hiking: If your residence or community offers hiking, take advantage and bring Fido along. Most dogs love to explore the outdoors. Like walking, you’ll need to maintain a brisk enough pace to elevate you and your pet’s heart rate. As always, be sure to keep you and your pet properly hydrated, especially during extended excursions.

Pets Need Sunscreen: Just like humans, cats and dogs can get sunburned while out in the sun, especially if he or she has light-colored hair. Animal sunburns can cause the same problems as that of humans – peeling, redness and even cancer. As skin cancer in pets is a serious concern, purchasing pet-friendly sunscreen can go a long way in protecting the health of your pet. Places that are easy to forget, but prone to burning are: inside the nostrils, tip of nose, around your dog’s lips and the inside of ears for dogs with standup ears.

Senior Pets: Consider the age of your pet when developing an exercise routine. Senior dogs in particular need adequate exercise, but adjust his or her routine to their abilities. A mere 15 minutes of massaging and stretching every day will raise your dog’s sense of well being. Jogging with your dog may not be appropriate if he or she is arthritic, but swimming and other low-impact activities are great for dogs with joint pain.

Lead Photo via Youtube.

Filed Under: News & Features

My Body is A Hardbody

April 10, 2012 by

We’re starting a new photos series here on Hardbody.com. “My Body” will be a display hardbody women in an artful way. Your body is your canvas and it’s your choice on what to do with it. We’ll celebrate women who are disciplined and dedicated to their bodies. This is the first of many others to come.

“My Body is a Hardbody”. Photo by Liftstudios.com.


©Liftstudios.com

 

Filed Under: My Body, PHOTOS & VIDEOS

Hardbody Ad Watch: Nike Free – I Would Run To You

April 9, 2012 by

Nike has produced some of the most creatives ads in history and they continue down the creative path once again. This spot shows a couple in love and how running can reunite the long distance lovebirds. Love will make you do crazy things and this one shows the woman as the strong, powerful one. It’s refreshing to see women portrayed as the strong one.

Check out the commercial as it uses a creative way to unite the long distance couple. “I would run to you.” is well done and props to Nike.

http://youtu.be/iozZTJB2XOw:
I Would Run To You Lyrics:
You’re so far away.
You’re so far away.
Ain’t got too much pride.
Want you back by my side.
Well baby I want that too.
And baby I would run, run to you.

I would run to you.
I would run to you.

The first time you talked to me.
I knew we were meant to be.
And when we finally embraced.
Baby, I can’t keep this pace.
I love you. There I said it.
I think I’m gonna need a medic.
You filled the hall with flower petals.
Why does my mouth taste like metal?
Baby I might die without you.
Baby, I might die.

I would run to you.
I’m not as strong as you.
I would run to you.
I (unintelligible heavy breathing) to you.

Love is a speeding comet.
I’m in a pool of my own vomit.
Love is a perfect vision.
This was such a bad decision.
Love makes everything serene.
Give me all of your morphine.

(Spoken)
Baby, I know we said we’d run across the country to be together, but I thought we were being symbolic. Why can’t we fly, and meet somewhere in the middle? Like Kansas City? It’s the Paris of the Plains…

Baby I love you so much that I would run to you.
You would run to me? You would run to me!
Baby I love you so much that I would run to you.

(Together)
I (you) would run to you (me).

Filed Under: Ad Watch

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