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Archives for July 2012

Procter & Gamble Opens the P&G U.S. Family Home in London

July 27, 2012 by

Procter & Gamble is one of the Worldwide Olympic Partners at the London 2012 Olympic Games. This week P&G opened their private “home away from home” that will help keep U.S. moms connected with their athletes and families in a relaxed environment. The P&G U.S. Family Home is a 65,000 square foot space which is estimated to host approximately 1,500 athletes and family members each day.  We’re excited to see this venue in person and will report back with coverage from London next week.

 

Procter & Gamble Opens the P&G U.S. Family Home for Team USA and Their Families at the London 2012 Olympic Games
P&G Family Home is “Home away from Home” Featuring Services from Leading Brands including Pampers®, Tide®, Pantene®, Crest®, Duracell® and Gillette®

LONDON, July 26, 2012 – Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG), a Worldwide Olympic Partner, today announced the opening of the P&G U.S. Family Home at the London 2012 Olympic Games. This private “home away from home” will help keep U.S. moms connected with their athletes and families in London in a relaxed, family-friendly environment.

The P&G U.S. Family Home is part of P&G’s “Thank you, Mom” campaign, which focuses on recognizing the role moms play in raising great kids. P&G will provide Team USA family members with a place to come together, have meals, watch the Olympic Games, meet other Team USA families and celebrate medal wins for Team USA at the London 2012 Olympic Games. The Family Home is an extension of P&G’s “Thank you, Mom” gift, which also included a $1,000 Visa reward card to every mom of a U.S. Olympian and Paralympian to help offset travel costs to watch their kids compete.

P&G launched its first Family Home in collaboration with the USOC at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Following an overwhelmingly positive response, P&G will again open its doors to hundreds of Team USA athletes, coaches and families.

“Because P&G is in the business of helping moms, we are proud to host moms and their families at the P&G U.S. Family Home during one of the most exciting times in their lives,” said Jodi Allen, P&G Vice President, North America Operations and Marketing, and herself a mother of four. “Every day, P&G brands help make the lives of moms everywhere just a little bit easier, and we want to make sure moms of U.S. Olympians feel the same comfort of home while in London.”


The P&G Beauty Salon offers eight salon stations offering a range of services from P&G beauty brands including Pantene, CoverGirl, Olay, Secret, Venus and Clairol. Photo credit Eamonn MacCormack for Getty/P&G

The P&G U.S. Family Home will offer services from P&G’s vast portfolio of industry-leading brands, including Pantene®, Crest®, Duracell® and Head & Shoulders®. Brands will offer a number of amenities to guests, including pampering for moms by CoverGirl® and Olay®, shaves for dads by Gillette®, a Pampers® play area for toddlers, and complimentary laundry service by Tide® and Downy®. The P&G Family Home will also welcome a number of high-profile entertainers and legendary athletes, including John MacReady, who will be at the Family Home to host parties and events and Olympic gymnastics legend Shawn Johnson, who will be P&G’s official London correspondent reporting daily from the Family Home on behind-the-scenes activity with moms and athletes. Reports from Johnson will be featured on the P&G “Thank you, Mom” Facebook page and on www.pg.com.

“The P&G U.S. Family Home will allow U.S. athletes the opportunity to spend invaluable time with their families during the most intense and taxing experience of their life,” said Lisa Baird, USOC’s chief marketing officer. “This safe haven is one that will allow them to have peace of mind and time to focus on the competition. The U.S. Family Home truly exemplifies the strength of P&G’s commitment to the Olympic Movement.”

The P&G U.S. Family Home will be open twelve hours a day from Friday, July 27 through Sunday, August 12.

About P&G
P&G touches and improves the lives of about 4.4 billion people around the world with its portfolio of trusted, quality brands. The Company’s leadership brands include Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Fairy®, Gain®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun®, Fusion®, Ace®, Febreze®, and Ambi Pur®. With operations in about 80 countries, P&G brands are available in more than 180 countries worldwide. Please visit pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

About the USOC
The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the sole entity in the United States whose mission involves training, entering and underwriting the full expenses for the U.S. teams in the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. In addition to being the steward of the U.S. Olympic Movement, the USOC is the moving force for support of sports in the United States that are on the program of the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. For more information, visit TeamUSA.org.

Lead Photo credit Eamonn MacCormack for Getty/P&G

Filed Under: News & Features, Olympics

Live Hardbody Coverage – 2012 NPC USA Championships

July 27, 2012 by

The 2012 NPC USA Championships has arrived and we’re in Las Vegas, Nevada covering all the action. Things get started today at noon with the first half of prejudging. Women’s Bodybuilding, Physique and Bikini go on stage today and the Figure competitors will be on stage tomorrow. The finals for all divisions are on Saturday, July 28th at 5:30pm. Check out the preview of the women’s event here.

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

Visit Bodybuilding.com throughout the weekend for photographic coverage. Official stage photos are available for purchase at photos.liftstudios.com.



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

Filed Under: News & Features, NPC

Hardbody Preview: 2012 NPC USA Championships

July 27, 2012 by

Over 800 competitors will take the stage this weekend at the 2012 NPC USA Bodybuilding, Bikini, Figure and Physique Championships. This will be the biggest turnout in the show’s 30-year history. The action starts at high noon on Friday, July 27th at UNLV’s Artemis Hall in Las Vegas, NV.

npc usa preview las vegas

A record number of pro cards (53) for this event will be awarded on Saturday night. Prejudging for Friday will start with Men’s Bodybuilding followed by Women’s Bodybuilding, Women’s Physique and ending on Bikini. Saturday’s prejudging will showcase Men’s Physique and Figure at 9am. The finals begin 5:30pm for all events.

Last year Wendy Fortino took home top honors in the Figure division and Talia Terese was the leading lady in the bikini division. This will be the second year that the NPC USAs features Women’s Physique. Last year’s overall winners have yet to make an impact in the pro ranks however other pro card winners have made their mark. Brittany Tacy, winner of the C class last year, won her first bikini pro show at the Greater Gulf States earlier this year and will head to the Olympia in September. Jami DeBenard will also be competing in the Olympia this year in the Figure division. She was last year’s D class winner.

Who will be the ones to watch this year? There are a number of women who could turn pro. I like Kalani Barber’s look and chances at a win in Figure. She was second to Tamara Montoya last year and one to watch this year. Another Figure competitor who has a winning look is Phannary Pen from Modesto, California. Dawn Hinz has consistently been in the top spots in the Figure F class and another who should make her mark this weekend. The Colorado State Figure Champion, Stephanie Spencer has a chance to leave a pro if she comes in just a bit tighter than her overall win earlier this month in Denver, Colorado. California State Champ, Francine Sablan has a nice look and should also be in the mix. Dani Freitas Ronquilio has been close a number of times to a pro card but comes up just short. Look for her to be a contender for a pro card.

In the Bikini division it is up in the air as so many of these women have won a show and done very well on the regional level. Who will step up to the plate at this Pro Qualifier? Look for Noy Alexander to take home gold in her backyard. The current Vegas resident has come close a number of times and many felt could have won her class at the JR. Nationals with no one complaining about it. Ashley Cronley LeBlanc has been on the way up and coming off an overall win at the Greater Gulf States. She has a good look and the potential to win not only her class but the overall here. Amy Allen and Shannon Martinez are two who could take home pro cards. They’ve held their own on the national stage before and will have a solid chance at leaving pros. Former NFL cheerleader, Lisa Perry could be in the hunt if she brings better conditioning then she displayed at the Jr. Nationals. The 2012 Emerald Cup overall Bikini winner Paola Terry will look to move back into the winner’s circle and could do so here. She showed potential at the Team Universe event earlier this month.

Keep an eye on Laura Gutilla and Jill Rudison to make some noise in the Women’s Physique division. If Antonia Perdikakis can dial in her legs a bit tighter she could be in the hunt for the top spots in her class. LaDawn McDay and Alyssa Stroud could battle it out in the heavyweight division of female bodybuilding with the winner likely leaving the overall champ. If Christine Sabo comes in a bit tighter than her last outing she too could leave with IFBB Pro Status.

IFBB WOMEN PRO STATUS AWARDED:
Top 2 Placers in the Overall of Women’s Bodybuilding (4 Weight Classes)
Open Figure the Top 2 in each Height Class (6 Height Classes)
Open Bikini the Top 2 in each Height Class (6 Height Classes)
Women’s Physique the Top 2 in each Height Class (4 Height Classes)

If you’re following the action on twitter use #NPCUSAs as the hashtag. MusclePhone, GetbigNews, RonAvidan and NPCNEWSonline will be your best sources for twitter coverage throughout the weekend. Official NPC USA stage photos available at: photos.liftstudios.com.

 

Filed Under: NPC, Show Previews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

William Staub, Developer of the Home Treadmill Dies

July 24, 2012 by

It’s likely most of you reading this have been on a treadmill at some point in your life. William Staub is credited for building and marketing the first home treadmill in the 19060s. He didn’t invent it but he took what was being used mainly by doctors and introduced it to the world of health and fitness. William Staub is credited for changing the way people exercised. Staub passed awayat his New Jersey Home. He was 96. Rest in Peace and thanks for helping people get hardbody.

AP NEWS RELEASE:
Developer of loved-and-loathed home treadmill dies By KATIE ZEZIMA
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — William Staub, who took the treadmill — that ubiquitous piece of exercise equipment that is loved and loathed by millions — into homes and gyms, has died. He was 96 and had been spied on a treadmill as recently as two months ago.

He died Thursday at his home in Clifton, N.J., his son Gerald said.

Staub, a mechanical engineer, built and marketed his first treadmill in the late 1960s — 40 steel rollers covered by an orange belt, a gray cover over the motor, and orange dials to determine time and speed. Staub envisioned it as a tool for people who wanted to run or walk outside but didn’t because of inclement weather, less-than-ideal circumstances or creative excuses, his son said.

At the time, the treadmill was almost exclusively used by doctors, said Dr. Kenneth Cooper, a health and fitness pioneer who used the machine to perform stress tests. William Staub, who didn’t exercise at the time, read Cooper’s 1968 book “Aerobics,” which espoused the health benefits of exercise.

“Dr. Cooper said if you ran a mile in 8 minutes and did it four to five times a week, you would always be in a good fitness category,” Gerald Staub said. “He said even I — no excuses — I can afford 8 minutes. That’s what excited him about it.”

The book mentioned a treadmill, and William Staub wanted to develop it commercially so people could run their 8-minute miles indoors.

“The treadmills we were using were very expensive, but there wasn’t one on the market for the masses. And that’s why he said, ‘We need this,'” Cooper said. “I encouraged it. I said, ‘If you can develop a treadmill that could be used in a home or an apartment it would be a slam dunk.’ And it was.”

But not at first. Gerald Staub remembers having conversations with his father in which the two hoped to sell 10 or 12 treadmills a day. The machine was a curiosity at trade shows because few had ever seen or heard of a treadmill.

“Some people couldn’t pronounce it. They would call it a threadmill,” Gerald Staub said. “I would joke and say we were helping people get no place quickly.”

At the time, William Staub owned an aerospace company called Besco but soon focused on selling his treadmill, the PaceMaster, through a company he called Aerobics Inc. William Staub sold it to Gerald and another son in the 1990s, and the company folded in 2010.

“I don’t think he thought it was going to be quite as big as it was,” Gerald Staub said.

Barbara Bushman, a professor of kinesiology at Missouri State University, said William Staub changed the way people exercise.

“From a public health standpoint, it’s so encouraging. He really took away the excuse of the weather’s not conducive to exercise today,” Bushman said. “The neighborhood conditions are not safe or optimal; it’s early morning. All those excuses are really taken away with one piece of equipment.”

Staub was born in Philadelphia on Nov. 3, 1915. His wife, Dorothy, died in 2007, and a daughter in 1977. Survivors include four sons and two daughters.

Staub was fastidious about his diet and ate the same lunch for years at a time; tomato soup, toast and tea for a while, then a tomato sandwich with a slice of cheese and lettuce, Gerald Staub said. He was a lifelong bowler who once owned a bowling alley and loved to water ski and build model airplanes.

And he became a lifelong devotee of the treadmill.

“I saw him on the treadmill just a couple months ago,” Gerald Staub said.

via ap.org

Filed Under: News & Features

Behind The Hardbody: Juliana Daniell Makes Atlanta Hawks Team

July 22, 2012 by

One of our favorite Hardbody women, Juliana Daniell has been keeping herself busy. She qualified for the 2012 Olympia at the end of the 2011 season but has been active on the competition scene this year. Juliana recently competed in a different competition and like the pro bikini stage, she more than held her own. Juliana recently made the Atlanta Hawk’s NBA Cheerleading team, for the third year in a row.


I caught up with JD to get the skinny on the tryouts, if she thinks cheerleaders are athletes, what’s next for her competition wise and more. Check it out.

How many years have you tried out for the team?
This was my third year trying out and the third year I made it!! =)

What’s the official name of the squad?
Atlanta Hawks Cheerleaders; we used to be called the A-Town Dancers, but the owners wanted us to be called cheerleaders for some reason.

Are you considered dancers or cheerleaders?
Well, we are actually made up of both. We are all one team but divided in two sub groups, cheerleaders and dancers.The main difference is the dancers do more dance choreography and the cheer girls do more tumbling/gymnastics and stunts during the game. I am on the cheer side!

You’ve cheered/danced for other teams, right?
Yes, I have cheered for the Atlanta Braves (MLB); 2008 and 2009 seasons. And cheered/skated for the Atlanta Thrashers (NHL) 2010-2011 season.

Last year you were the captain, right?
Yes!! =) I was captain of the cheer side.

Juliana on the cover of FitnessRX for Women magazine.


How is that decided?
That is decide by our coach and bosses.

How many girls tried out this year?
There was about 225 girls that came to auditions.

Wow. How many make the team/squad?
A lucky 26 girls made the team which is the same number as we had last year. And we had 15 girls from last year’s team trying out again and we all made it back!!!!

What’s it referred to?
It’s referred to as a team. Well I guess it really could be both, but we are called a team but were like family!

Did you practice for it – if so what’s involved in practice?
We absolutely practice! We have practice two times a week; sometimes more depending on what we have to learn and how the games fall. We have to learn the different choreography for the dances as well as our sidelines that we perform during each game. We also have work outs (a combination of weights, cardio, and plyometrics) prior to our practices.

Do you have any restrictions while on the team?
It’s more like what is expected of us rather than what we can’t do. They wouldn’t tell us we couldn’t do something; we just wouldn’t be picked for the team to begin with. For example being an adult entertainer/dancer or a club dancer is not something the organization would want us to be doing. Not saying that those jobs are bad, it’s just not who they want representing the Atlanta Hawks or the Cheerleaders. And for the most part the members of the AHC (Atlanta Hawks Cheerleaders) have very respectable outside careers and we are strongly supported. But we are required to have another job or be a student to even be considered for the team.

Does the team have a fitness plan?
Absolutely! We have trainers that work us out every Tuesday and Thursday for an hour prior to our practice. Its a combination of free weights, plyometrics, and cardio. We also have the option to set up private workouts with the trainers as well. Some girls do this on their own and some are told they have too.

Can you get kicked off for not “making weight”?
For us it’s not really about a number, it’s more of if you look the part. The AHC’s have a certain look we have to uphold; being healthy, fit, and in shape. We are all different shapes and sizes, but individually we know when we look our best and when we don’t. If there is ever a girl who is lacking or falling off the fit train, she will be suspended and asked to see the trainers. This is because we have to wear very tiny, revealing uniforms at times and if we don’t look good wearing it or it doesn’t fit it reflects negatively on the entire team.

Do you have to weigh in?
Yes, we have weigh-ins and body fat tests once a month.

Obviously you are in great shape – do girls ask you for advice?
Yes they do and I love it!! They usually ask me for certain exercises to get their booties in shape! 😉 But a lot of times they want to know what I eat and how they should eat!

You were a competitive swimmer in high school and college, so obviously an athlete. Do you think cheerleaders are athletes?
110% YES we are athletes!!!! I have to work just as hard now as I did in college to be good at what I do. Doing a standing back tuck, back-handspring, running tumbling, stunting, isn’t something the average person can do and I’m pretty sure you would be considered an athlete if you could; and I can!

Do you follow the Olympic Swimming?
Ya know, the past couple Olympics I really didn’t follow it as closely as I had previously, but this year has been different. I actually watched some of the trials and kind of missed swimming and being in the pool. And I plan to watch some of the Olympics as well.

Who will you be rooting for or following how they do?
Well I was, and will always be, a sprinter. And in college I mainly did freestyle, butterfly and the relays. So I will probably tune into the 50 and 100 freestyle, the 100 fly and all of the relays. And I mean I will obviously be rooting for all the Americans, but no one in particular! 😉

Juliana with her rose after being selected.

When will we see you on stage again?
SARASOTA PRO SEPTEMBER 8TH!!!! I am super excited about this show and can’t wait to get back on stage. After the New York Pro I knew I had some work to do and I’ve been working hard since. And of course I have the Olympia at the end of September!

Where can people stalk err find out more about you?
Hahaha!! In Atlanta!! 😉 Or you can just go to my fan page (Ifbb Bikini Pro Juliana Daniell) on facebook! I am planning to get a twitter account but can’t decide on a name! LOL any suggestions?? I am also in the process of putting together a personal website and blog; I just need more hours in the day to get it all done!

Any roses lately?
Baaahahaha! That’s funny! 😉 And the only “rose” I have gotten recently was from my Hawks coach Donni after she called out my name as a member of the 2012-2013 Atlanta Hawks Cheer-leading team!!

Thanks for your time JD and congratulations.
Thanks Isaac

Filed Under: Competitor's Corner, News & Features Tagged With: , , , , ,

Olympic Sprinter Allyson Felix – The Weight Room is Huge

July 22, 2012 by

ESPN’s Julie Foudy chats with Team USA sprinter, Allyson Felix about the upcoming London Olympics. Allyson talks about her two previous trips to the Olympics and her plans for the upcoming games. Every Olympic competitor wants the gold medal but how will this year be different for Felix? Maturity. She feels her experience and maturity will be her biggest asset in bringing home gold.

Julie asks Allyson how important the weight room is and she says it’s “huge”. Fans watch the races but don’t often see the countless hours spent on the track and in the weight room. Felix feels getting out of the blocks has been a challenge but hitting the weight room is helping her to be more aggressive and explosive.

Follow Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) and Allyson Felix (@allysonfelix) on twitter. See more videos on ESPN.com.

Lead image via ESPN video.

Filed Under: Olympics, Videos

Amanda Latona on FOX’s “The Choice”

July 22, 2012 by

Amanda Latona is no stranger to the limelight. She was a signed recording artist before she entered the fitness world. Competitiveness is in Amanda’s blood and we get to see it once again but this time on a tv show. Amanda appeared on the season final of FOX’s “The Choice” which featured actor Dean Cain, NFL player Ndamukong Suh, model Tyson Beckford and surgeon to the stars, Dr. Robert Nettles.

 

THE CHOICE FORMAT:
The format of the program, which utilizes a format similar to the blind audition rounds of The Voice, features three stages of competition and involves four single celebrity contestants (usually male; the opposite, featuring four female celebrities, also occasionally occurs), competing to fill teams of three possible dates. The first is the blind audition, in which four contestants listen to potential dates give their first impression while the celebrities’ chairs are turned without seeing them, each of whom has the length of the possible suitor’s time (about thirty seconds) to decide if he or she is interested in going out with that person. Each celebrity contestant must select three people to choose to be on their team (though celebrities who have already selected their three potential dates will still have to wait until after the contestant has finished giving their first impression to see them). The contestants turn their chairs to signify that they are interested in going out with that person; if two or more of the celebrity contestants want the same person (as happens frequently), the prospective date has the final choice of which celebrity whose team they would be most interested in going out with.

The second phase of the competition is the speed dating round, in which the celebrities find out more about their three potential dates. The male and female contestants are rotated to meet each other and ask questions about the other person, usually lasting fifteen seconds. At the end of each interval, the individual celebrity contestant’s chair is turned to signal the next two participants to start their interview. At the end of the round, each celebrity must eliminate one contestant.

The third and final round involves the two remaining contestants (who are brought out one at a time) being asked a single question, in which they give their opinion about a particular topic relating to their interests, families or personal lives. After both contestants have given their answer, the celebrity contestant’s chair is turned to allow them to make the decision about who they are most interested in dating, each celebrity then must come onstage to reveal to the host, audience and the remaining contestants, which of the two they have chosen to go out on a date with.

Round One:
Amanda emerges from behind a silhouette and shares details which include being a professional bikini model and known for her butt. That was all Dean Cain needed to hear as he spun around to lock Latona into his dating pool.

Round Two:
Amanda competes against two other women in the “speed” dating round. She survives and advances to the third round.

Round Three:
Dean Cain is best known for his role as Superman so it would appear only natural that he ask, “If you could have any super-power, what would it be and why?” Amanda’s wants the power to be a human lie-detector so she knows when someone is lying. Dean chooses Amanda over a woman who answered with the power to develop a charity.

Amanda and Dean are shown at the end of the episode enjoying a wine tasting in Malibu.

Amanda tells us the experience was fun but as for another date… well, don’t count on that. You can watch the full episode on www.fox.com.

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

Dianna Dahlgren Wins LA Pro – Complete Results

July 22, 2012 by

Ten women took the stage at the 2012 IFBB Los Angeles Pro Bikini event over the weekend. Heading into the event it was thought to be a pose down between Dianna Dahlgren and Amanda Latona, two of the division’s top competitors. There were a few surprises and things didn’t exactly play out as expected, as we’ve seen in this division over the year.

When the results were announced, it was Dianna who added another win to her competitive resume, and a hefty sword to her trophy collection. The surprise was little Cali mighty-mouse, Narmin Assria who finished in second. The finish puts Narmin in a tie with Jennifer Chapman in the Olympia Qualification Point Series. The two sit with 13 points heading into the final few shows before the Olympia. Perhaps Amanda Latona had some stage rust. Can you have that as a bikini competitor? This was Amanda’s first time on stage this year and while many felt she would be the favorite for the win, she was relegated to third. Dayna Maleton finished in fourth, her third consecutive finish in fourth place. Rounding out the top five was Taylor Matheny from California by way of Oklahoma.

2012 IFBB LOS ANGELES PRO BIKINI
July 21, 2012 / Culver City, California
Placing / Name / Score
1. Dianna Dahlgren 3
2. Narmin Assria 6
3. Amanda Latona 9
4. Dayna Maleton 12
5. Taylor Matheny 15
6. Jennifer Dietrick 18
7. Skye Taylor 21
8. Leigh Brandt 24
9. Katherine Portillo 27
10. Vida Guerra 30


Lead image via MuscularDevelopment.com

Filed Under: Contest Results

Video: Reebok Crossfit Champion Annie Thorisdottir’s Four Simple Training Tips

July 21, 2012 by

Two-time Reebok Crossfit Champion Annie Thorisdottir shares four simple but helpful tips in this Reebook Crossfit training video. She quickly describes and demonstrates pull-ups, the barbell snatch, kettlebell swing and push-ups. It’s a quick video that provides some helpful insight to getting started with basic Crossfit exercises.

ANNIE DEMONSTRATES & DESCRIBES:
1. Pull-ups and variations
2. Barbell Snatch
3. Kettlebell Swing
4. Push-up



Lead image compiled from youtube video.

Filed Under: Crossfit, TRAINING, Videos Tagged With: , , , ,

Supplement Industry Investing Millions into Romney’s Presidential Campaign

July 21, 2012 by

The supplement industry is big business (billions of dollars) and unlike the pharmaceutical industry, makers don’t have to wait for federal review before hitting store shelves. The supplement industry continues to battle with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over regulating dietary ingredients. Manufacturers are required to report illnesses linked to their products and it only takes one case to start a firestorm. Supplement giant, Iovate Health Sciences Inc. experienced this when the FDA warned consumers to stop using hydroxycut products in 2009.


Many health & wellness companies are supporting former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney’s campaign for presidency. It’s not that Romney has any direct ties to the supplement industry (that are known) but rather his support for business. A successful business owner himself, Romney appeals to many companies for his business sense. It’s worth mentioning that Romney was in charge of the 2002 Salt Lake City Games and a number of supplement companies are based in Utah. The Olympics generated millions for the state and companies base there appear to be strong supporters of his campaign.

VIA USATODAY:

Executives with Utah-based supplement companies. They include David Lisonbee, CEO of 4Life Research, who gave $500,000 to the super PAC this year; and Steve Lund, co-founder of Nu Skin Enterprises, a Provo, Utah, nutrition and skin-care company. Eli Publishing and F8 LLC, which share a Provo address, donated $1 million each to the super PAC. State records list Lund as Eli Publishing’s registered agent.

Mitt Romney has refused to list his fundraising supporters however USA TODAY compiled a list and written more about the tie to the supplement industry. Read the entire story on USATODAY.com.

 

 

Parts of this story from USATODAY.

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

Hardbody Preview: 2012 IFBB Los Angeles Pro Bikini

July 20, 2012 by

This Saturday, July 21st, ten IFBB Pro Bikini competitors will take the stage in Culver City, California. The IFBB Los Angeles Grand Prix contest may not have the largest pro line-up but it certainly is one of the most competitive shows to date. If you think you can correctly predict the top five in order I’d like you to pick my lottery numbers.

The event appears to be a two woman event, at least on paper. Amanda Latona has taken a few months away from the competitive stage and will return this weekend to square off against Dianna Dahlgren. Amanda is never more than a couple of lbs (that’s pounds for you non-hipsters) away from her stage weight and arguably has one, if not thee, best booties in the pro ranks. Dianna Dahlgren may have a little something to say about that though. Dianna also has a bikini booty that is the envy of many. She’s coming off a fifth place finish at the Toronto Pro however many (myself included) had her finishing higher.

Amanda has the edge when it comes to stage presence and curves however Diana has shown she can hold her own on any stage, as we saw at last year’s Olympia where she finished third. It should be noted Amanda wasn’t competing in that show so it will be a match up to watch here.

The thing is.. both of these women can be beat if they aren’t at the best and the eight other women have their sights on beating them. Famed cover model, Vida Guerra will be making her pro debut and can hold her own in the booty department but will she be comfortable on stage? We’ve seen her struggle a bit with her presentation in the NPC ranks but she channeled her inner Stella and got her groove back in Chicago.  Also making her pro debut is fellow Cali girl Katherine Portillo. Katherine turned pro at the 2012 NPC JR Nationals with Vida and has a bit of a home court advantage by not having the stress of traveling. The lone East Coast competitor, Dayna Maleton has risen in the ranks her last two shows, with back-to-back fourth place finishes. Narmin Assria is looking to improve on her Olympia Qualification point standings and is in the hunt for an Olympia birth if she fairs well at this event. Skye Taylor is already qualified for the Olympia, so the pressure is off her to collect points or the win. It will be a good test for her to see how she matches up against some of the best in the pro league.

Taylor Matheny has a young, fresh look and a rock’n hardbody. She would finish higher (in my opinion) if she improved her posing. If she brings better posing to the stage she could be in the mix. Jennifer Dietrick will be in some deep bikini waters with this line up and has yet to finish better than 5th. It’s no knock on Dietrick but rather a testament to how competitive shows has become over the last two years. The original Canadian Cutie, Leigh Brandt is hope the 6th time on a pro stage is the charm. She’s yet to crack the top five however she’s been close. She has a chance to do it here but it won’t be easy.

For more information on the IFBB Los Angeles Grand Prix Bikini Championships visit MuscleContest.com. Prejudging starts at 10am (PST) and the finals kick off at 6:30pm (PST).

 

Filed Under: Show Previews

Twenty-One New Female IFBB Pros Crowned

July 20, 2012 by

Tonight was “Female Friday” in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of Hardbody women took the stage at the 2012 NPC Teen, Collegiate & Master’s National Championships. Many of the women have come close to turning pro a number of times and found theri pot of gold tonight, while others left looking for another rainbow.

 

The main take away from this show is be patient and remember persistence pays off. Women like Esmeralda Saxenian… She went from a 12th place finish at the 2006 NPC Excalibur to an overall win and IFBB pro card tonight. The overall 45+ Figure Winner, Krista Dunn didn’t quit when she placed 14th at this year’s NPC JR USA. She hit the gym harder, improved to 5th at JR Nationals and then 3rd at Team Universe before tonight’s victory. Sherri Gray was in the dreaded 16th place spot at the 2008 NPC JR USAs. She took home top honors and a pro card in the Women’s 35+ Women’s Bodybuilding.


Who turns pro at this show in the women’s divisions?
• Overall Women’s Bodybuilding Over 35
• Overall Women’s Bodybuilding Over 45
• Overall Women’s Bodybuilding Over 55
• Overall Figure Over 55
• Top 3 places (6 Height Classes) in the overall of Figure Comparisons Over 45
• Class winners (6 Height Classes) Figure Over 35
• Class winners (4 Height Classes) Bikini Over 35
• Class winners (2 Height Classes) Women’s Physique Over 35
• Class winners (2 Height Classes) Women’s Physique Over 45

Congrats to the new female IFBB Pro Card Winners from tonight’s NPC Master’s Nationals:

FIGURE:
• Esmeralda Saxenian – 35+ Overall Winner
• Krista Dunn – 45+ Overall Winner
• Katerina Tarbox
• Melanise Pettee
• Tina Bozman
• Nancy Bowlin
• Marci Colliau
• Kenyatta Jones Arietta
• Rebecca Book

WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE:
• Frances Mendez – 35+ Overall Winner
• Cheryl Cooke – 45+ Overall Winner
• Danielle Soucek
• Chris Kramer
• Tracy Bacon
• Leonie Rose

BIKINI:
• Deborah Lee – Overall Winner
• Lynn Sambuco
• Michon Leddy
• Heather Gonyea

FEMALE BODYBUILDING:
• Sherri Gray – 35+ Overall Winner
• Paula Francis – 45+ Overall Winner

Complete results and photos at npcnewsonline.com.

 

Filed Under: NPC

Hardbody PROfile – International Model & IFBB Pro Vida Guerra

July 19, 2012 by

I caught up with International cover model and IFBB Pro Vida Guerra just days out from her bikini pro debut. She’ll be taking the stage for the first time as an IFBB Pro Bikini competitor this weekend at Jon Lindsay’s IFBB Los Angeles Grand Prix. Vida is no stranger to the limelight over the past 10 plus years but the bikini stage proved to be a different type of challenge for her. She (self-admittedly) wasn’t quite comfortable in her transitioning physique the first few times she stepped on stage. She used a frustrating placing as motivation to achiever her bikini body.

vida guerra pro bikini fitness model

Vida has been known for her Cuban caboose more often than not over the years. She was was crowned “”FHM’s Model of the Year” in 2004 and has been on the cover of PLAYBOY, FHM, Maxim and countless others. Vida has put her big booty days behind her and has her sights set on making her mark in the world of fitness. She’s appeared in Muscular Development, FLEX and Muscle & Fitness magazines since taking up bikini competitions. She was kind enough to reveal a bit more about herself and a answer a few tough questions along the way. Enjoy.

Name: 
Vida Guerra

Born in:
Havana Cuba

Currently reside in:
Los Angles, CA

How old were you when you moved to the States?
When we left Cuba I was 5 yrs old when we finally step ground on American soil I was 6yrs.

Did you face any challenges growing up being from another country or no big deal?
Yes. it was very challenging for me had to learn the language and it was a whole different world then where I grow up luckily for me I was young so adapting to it didn’t take long.

Vida on the cover of Urban Ink magazine


What languages are you fluent in?
I speak English and Spanish and really want to learn how to speak Italian and French.

How did you get started in modeling?
I got started modeling professionally in 2002 before that I was always playing with the camera at a young age.

How many covers have you been on to date?
Wow, I don’t really know lol

Ha too many to count. Nice.

Any shoots you regret ?
No, I don’t really regret anything in life everything always happens for reason and everything is perfect as is. 🙂

What’s the best piece of advice  you give young women just starting out in modeling?
Make sure you do your research and don’t be so quick to believe anything you hear.

You’ve appeared in a few music videos as well. What was the funnest music video you appeared in?
It would have to be Kanye West “The New Workout Plan.”

You once posed nude for PETA. Are you still a supporter of PETA?
Yes, I support PETA I love animals and PETA provides a voice for them.

Are you a vegetarian?
I was until last year when I started working out & I wasn’t getting the right amount of protein in my body. It was causing me to get a little sick so I started eating organic meats and felt much better.

You’re well known for your backside. Does that bother you or embrace it and go with it?
It doesn’t bother me I love it but there is more to me then that. The people that know me can speak on that.

Biggest misconception people have about you?
Probably everything that the media and internet has created.

Do you still have a body guard?
No, but when I have events the venue does get one or two for me.

I read on TMZ your bodyguard helped put a beat down on some dudes and you were sued. True?
No, it’s not true lol… That guy was an old manager’s friend and after an event that I had I went home and I guess that guy stayed there and got into a fight. I forgot his name.

What’s the most ridiculous rumor you’ve read about yourself?
Omg, almost everything that’s on the internet it just keeps getting funnier and funnier. They have tried to attached me to many Celebs and that’s just not the case.

Soooo dating a celeb – cool or no thanks?
No thanks :)-

How many fan sites do you think are currently online devoted to you?
I have no idea. lol

What was your first bikini competition?
My first NPC bikini competition was June 25, 2011. I took first place and overall. My first competition ever was in April of 2000 in New Jersey I competed in figure class when it first started.

What made  you enter the NPC ranks?
I entered because this was something I started in 2000 and never follow thru on it because I didn’t want to do figure but once I found out about bikini it was game on. This was a good way for me get back in shape and not hide behind a airbrushed pic. 🙂

HA! Ya, not models are ever airbrushed. lol

What changed in your diet/nutrition to bring your backside down?
Last year, I really wasn’t on a diet and never did cardio. Just figuring out my body trial and error.

What was the most challenging thing preparing for your first bikini competition?
For my first show was the easiest I had no idea what I was doing just had fun with it and after that was when it became an obsession.

You appeared a little nervous on stage your first couple of times. A woman who has been seen by millions in magazines gets nervous on a NPC stage? What’s the deal with that?
I know. I wasn’t comfortable with my body yet I was in between bodies and knew I still had much work to do.

What advice would you give bikini competitors when it comes to rock’n the stage?
I would say to have fun with it be in the moment and out of your mind 🙂

Haha. Truer words have never been spoken.

You continued to improve your physique and stage presence, what stopped you from calling it quits after the first two shows?
I will never be a quitter. That’s how I’m design. It just motivates me more I love it.

You turned pro at the 2012 JR Nationals with your best look to date. What do you attribute that to?
I believe it was all timing everything was align for me. And I was pissed from my last placing at JR USA, so I gave  it all I had and it never felt so right until that moment. Thank you Jesus!!

You were doing cartwheels at the winner’s shoot. (No really she was literally doing cartwheels) Do you have a gymnastics background?
No, but I was in dance ballet and karate growing up I also played softball and football.

So we’ll see you in the Fitness division some time?
Who knows what the future hold I always like to challenge myself and keep growing as a person.

Entering your first pro show this weekend, what’s the goal?
The goal is to win #1 so I can go to Olympia. I’m going to have fun with it and bring my A game. I know there are a lot of veterans and I’m just a rookie on the pro stage but I love challenges.

And after that what is on the Vida game plan for the Fitness Industry?
A whole new world has open for me and the sky is the limit.

Where can people find official info on/from you?
My website: www.vidasworld.com
Twitter: @vidaguerra
Facebook.com/Vidaguerra

The best for now is twitter. My website is in the process of getting done

Anyone you’d like to give a shout out to?
Yes, I would love to thank my bombshell team Shannon and Rob. Also my sponsors; Nike, P28bread and Nuts-n-more. Jesus!!! My family, friends and boyfriend Billy they have supported so much in my journey and I could have not done it alone.  Also my beautiful and loyal fans that I have had for a decade now they continue to inspire me to be better and thank you for your time and this interview. I really appreciate it and look forward to shooting with you in Vegas.

Why thank you. The pleasure was mine and look forward to the photo shoot in Vegas too.

Check back to find out how Vida did in her pro debut and stay tuned for and exclusive HARDBODY photo shoot with Vida in La la la Lassss Vegas! Check out Vida’s NPC Bikini contest photos here.

Lead banner image via Musculardevelopment.com by Per Bernal.

Filed Under: Interviews, News & Features

TIME Magazine 2012 Olympic Covers

July 19, 2012 by

TIME magazine did a tremendous job with their newest issue. The July 30, 2012 issue features three different Olympic athletes, two of which are females. Popular track-star, Lolo Jones is shown sprinting out of the blocks on one edition. Gymnast Gabby Douglas is featured in a beautiful, graceful image on another version. Swimmer Ryan Lochte is shown performing a backstroke on the rendition of his cover.

 


All three covers are beautifully done. The photography was captured by high-profile New York photographer Martin Schoeller. Time also has a variety of covers for their International issues, which are also very well done. Check out the feature on Martin’s 2012 U.S. Olympian Portraits on TIME.COM. You can also see more images and web exclusive content on the site.

These two images are great. Lolo hurdling a dog and Gabby stretching at the fridge of her host family. Great stuff! See more here on TIME.com.

Olympic Hurdler Lolo Jones via TIME.com / Martin Schoeller.


Gymnast Gabby Douglas via TIME.com / Martin Schoeller.

All images via TIME.com / Martin Schoeller.

Filed Under: News & Features, Olympics

2012 Bodybuilding.com Supplement Awards – Vote Today

July 19, 2012 by

The eighth annual Bodybuilding.com supplement award nominees have been announced and the voting is open. The awards offer an easy, honest way for consumers to vote on the products they feel work. Show your appreciation for your favorite brand(s) by voting. Bodybuilding.com is offering a 10% discount just for casting your vote.  Last year over 1 million people voted. This year  70+ brands were nominated, representing the industry leaders in delivering high-quality, effective products.


PRESS RELEASE:

Boise, ID (PRWEB) July 16, 2012 – Bodybuilding.com, the Internet’s most-visited bodybuilding and fitness site and largest online retailer of nutritional supplements, has officially opened the polls for their eighth annual Bodybuilding.com Supplement Awards. Over 70 brands were nominated in all, representing the industry leaders delivering high-quality, effective products. When customers purchased a product from Bodybuilding.com this past year, they voted (with their wallet) for that product’s nomination.

The Bodybuilding.com Supplement Awards have set the standard for recognition of the best products and brands in the fitness and supplement industry. The best part about it – it’s the customers’ vote that counts! Last year, over one million votes from across the world helped decide what products would become instant top-sellers out of the 8,000+ products Bodybuilding.com carries.

“This award allows the customer to vote on which supplements they feel are the highest-quality and most-effective in helping them achieve their health and fitness goals,” said Bodybuilding.com CEO, Ryan DeLuca. Winners will be decided on by customer vote via an online voting system running July 13, 2012 to August 31, 2012 on Bodybuilding.com and will be announced live on the Olympia Main Stage as part of Joe Weider’s Olympia Weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 28th-29th, 2012.

This year’s Bodybuilding.com Supplement Award categories are as follows:
Brand of the Year
Supplement of the Year
Breakout Brand (most improved) of the Year
New Supplement of the Year
New Brand of the Year
Muscle Building Supplement of the Year
Pre-Workout Supplement of the Year
Intra-Workout Supplement of the Year
Recovery Supplement of the Year
Protein Powder of the Year
Protein Bar of the Year
Energy Supplement of the Year
Energy Drink of the Year
Fat Loss Supplement of the Year
Weight Gainer Supplement of the Year
Creatine Supplement of the Year
Glutamine Supplement of the Year
BCAA Supplement of the Year
Multivitamin Supplement of the Year
Joint Health Supplement of the Year
RTD (Ready-To-Drink) of the Year
Tanning Product of the Year
Packaging of the Year

Vote now and receive 10% off the next purchase at Bodybuilding.com! Go to Bodybuilding.com/Award.

Bodybuilding.com offers more than 8,000 health & fitness supplements and accessories to help more than 13 million people every month achieve their health, fitness and appearance goals, as well as over 35,000 pages of FREE information, including more than 20,000 articles and videos, expert online trainers, and new content added daily.

 

Filed Under: News & Features

Hardbody Cooking: Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

July 19, 2012 by

If you haven’t tried making your own sweet potato fries, you are missing out. These might be the single most addicting healthy food you’ll ever make. Seriously, they are THAT good. We experimented with two different approaches this after noon and while both were great one was a bit better tasting. You can adapt the recipe below to suit your current nutrition needs but definitely give it a try, you’re only regret will be wishing you’d done it years ago.

 

HARDBODY SWEET POTATO FRIES:
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees
• Peel the skin off from the sweet potato. We used 2 medium sized but use as many as you like to cook at one time.
• Slice as large or small of pieces as you like. We sliced smaller, thinner and it made more so it felt like we’re getting more to eat. We all know how that goes when dieting.
• Cover a sheet pan with tin foil

We did two different versions with the oil/spray and you can modify this with your own preferred oil or none at all.

• Version 1 – we laid the potato slices out on the pan and sprayed with regular cooking spray.
• Version 2 – we put about 1 tablespoon of almond oil onto the pan and then put the slices on top of it.
• Sprinkle with cinnamon
• Place in the oven for 20-30 minutes and then flip/rearrange for another 30 minutes.

Some slices will get burnt and believe it or not, the burnt ones taste better. We’ll be leaving the fries in longer next time to crisp them up a bit more.  Let cool and enjoy. Your house will smell amazing as the cinnamon bakes. Version 2 with almond oil provided a much better taste. We used Spectrum Almond Oil.

Almond Oil, Refined
Almonds have long been hailed for their high content of monounsaturated fat. We coax out the almond’s oil by expeller pressing and gently refine it using natural methods to create a clean, fresh oil perfect for smoothing on skin, blending custom massage oils, or for high heat cooking in the kitchen.

A high heat cooking oil rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats with a pure, clean flavor.

High Heat Up To 495°F

The only problem is we want to keep eating them! So you might want to make only a few at a time so you don’t over indulge in them. Check out our facebook page where some of our fans are sharing their favorite ways to make sweet potato fries. If you try this, let us know how it goes and any modifications you do.

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: , , , , ,

Fitness Model Jamie Eason Gets Married

July 18, 2012 by

One of the hardest working and most popular fitness models, Jamie Eason is officially a married woman. Jamie Eason will be the model formerly known as Jamie Eason. That’s because she will be taking her husband Michael’s last name, Middleton. We welcome you to join in congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Michael Middleton and wishing them many happy, healthy, hardbody years together.

Jamie also shared with her thousands of fans that the newlyweds will be taking their honeymoon in Italy. Best wishes from Hardbody!


The happy newlyweds!

Lead photo via Jamie’s Facebook.
Wedding photo Michelle Hanson’s Facebook.

 

Filed Under: News & Features

May NPC Athletes of The Month Announced

July 18, 2012 by

Gaspari Nutrition presents the National Physique Committee’s athletes of the month. The NPC JR USA competitors took home the honor of not only winning at the show but also being part of the Athletes of The Month. The women’s divisions are represented by Cassandra Wilson, Hope Davis, Lacey Deluca, Trina Thompson and Alicia Spencer. Read the entire press release below.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATIONAL PHYSIQUE COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES MAY ATHLETES OF THE MONTH PRESENTED BY GASPARI NUTRITION
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA (July 18, 2012) – The National Physique Committee and Gaspari Nutrition are proud to announce seven athletes – Dan Newmire, Cassandra Wilson, Hope Daivs Lacey DeLuca, Trina Thompson, Guy Marquardt and Allison Spencer – as the Athletes of the Month in their respective divisions for the month of May.

May marks the first month of Gaspari Nutrition’s participation in the NPC Athlete of the Month awards.

“Gaspari Nutrition is honored to be a part of the NPC Athlete of the Month awards” Gaspari Nutrition CEO and founder Rich Gaspari said. “My company is proud to sponsor over 20 different athletes so it’s exciting to be a part of this new athlete recognition program through the NPC.”

Gaspari, who began competing in the NPC as a teenager in New Jersey, won the light-heavyweight class and his pro card at the 1984 NPC Nationals. A year later, he competed in his first Mr. Olympia at the age of 22 before going on to three runner-up Olympia finishes and an Arnold Classic win in 1989.

“I feel it’s very important to give back to the sport by recognizing the young, up-and-coming competitors in all of the divisions,” Gaspari said. “Hopefully some of these athletes are able to go on to successful careers in the IFBB Professional League.”

About the May Athletes of the Month:
– Men’s Bodybuilding: Dan Newmire, 33, recently won the Super Heavyweight and Overall titles at the NPC Junior USAs. Newmire, who started competing in 2000, was the runner-up in the Super Heavyweight division at the Junior USAs in 2011.

– Women’s Bodybuilding: Former Marine Cassandra Wilson, 41, won the Heavyweight and Overall titles at the Junior USAs.

– Figure: Hope Davis, 22, won her pro card by winning Class C at the Junior USAs. Davis won two overall Figure titles in May, the Pittsburgh Pro and the Eastern Seaboards.

– Bikini: Lacey Deluca won the Overall at two contests in May and placed in the top three of her class at the Junior USAs. DeLuca won the Pittsburgh Championships and the Eastern Seaboards.

– Women’s Physique: Trina Thompson, a former beauty pageant contestant and then wrestler with the Ohio Valley Wrestling Association, earned her IFBB Pro card by winning her the Overall title at the Junior USAs.

– Men’s Physique: Guy Marquardt, 30, won his pro card by winning the Overall in Men’s Physique at the Junior USAs.

– Fitness: Alicia Spencer won her class at the Junior USAs

NPC Chairman Jim Manion selects the Athletes 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. For more information on the May Athletes of the Month, go to www.npcnewsonline.com.

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

Filed Under: News & Features

MMA Hardbody Ronda Rousey on the Cover of UFC® Magazine

July 18, 2012 by

Strikeforce Women’s Mixed Martial Arts Champion, Ronda Rousey continues to capture the attention of the media world. While at the 2012 ESPYs, Ronda provided a few sound bites about Kim Kardasian that gained her a few new fans at TMZ and around the globe. She’s currently featured on the cover ESPN The Magazine BODY issue and the newest issue of UFC Magazine.


The August/September issue of UFC Magazine features former Olympians Dan Henderson and Ronda Rousey. Dan was an Olympic Greco-Roman Wrestler and Ronda was an 2008 Olympic Medal winner in Judo. The issue is available now.

{democracy:240}

Ronda Rousey with her UFC Magazine cover.
Photo via: UFC Magazine Facebook.

Filed Under: MMA

2012 NPC Colorado State Championships Results and Photos

July 17, 2012 by

The NPC Colorado State Championships were held on July 14th in Denver, Colorado. Promoter Jeff Taylor move the venue to the Buell Theater, located in downtown Denver. The Overall winners of this event not only received the title of being the state champion they also take home a Josten’s sterling silver ring an a $250 Tokyo Joe’s Gift Card. Each competitor who entered also received a $25 Tokyo Joe’s gift card.

Results
Bikini 35-40
1- Lara Fortune
2- Melissa Lorenzo
3- Gianna Ficco
4- Seaira Caldwell
5- Michelle Poirier
6- Christina Rockwell

Bikini 40+
1 – LeeAnn Johnson
2 – Lisa Romero
3 – Colleen Ruppe
4- Tracy Ludlow
5- Robin Repass
6- Jenny Brown
7- Heidi Boerstler

Overall Bikini Age Group Winner: LeeAnn Johnson

Bikini Novice A
1- Kendra Taylor

Bikini Novice B
1 – Emily Patton
2 – Nicole Mulleady
3 – Megan Varner
4 – Nita Williams
5 – Christina Rockwell
6 – Angela Giulitto
7 – Shaina Downing
8 – Olga Kirilchuk

Bikini Novice C
1 – Melissa Lorenzo
2 – Porcia Thompson
3 – Jackie Parra
4 – Brianne Bateman
5 – Julia Bell
6 – Nicole Maher

Bikini Novice D
1- Tarrah Speer
2- Aome Selk
3- Tanisha Millard
Bikini Novice Overall
Emily Patton

Bikini Open Class A
1- Sheina Heinicke
2- Jaime Benson
3- Jessica Romero

Bikini Open Class B
1- Chloe Miller
2- Gianna Ficco

Bikini Open Class C
1- Emily Patton
2- Krystie Velasco
3- Nita Williams
4- Christina Rockwell
5- Nicole Mulleady
6- Shaina Downing
7- Robin Repass
8- Olga Kirilchuk

Bikini Open Class D
1- Lisa Romero
2- Melissa Lorenzo
3- Jackie Parra
4- Jessica Romero(a)
5- Colleen Ruppe
6- Lara Fortune
7- Julia Bell

Bikini Open Class E
1- Alyssa Gross
2- Kelsea Androes
3- LeeAnn Johnson
4- Porchia Thompson
5- Tarrah Speer
6- Tracy Ludlow

Bikini Open Class F
1- Jenn Anderson
2- Whitney Rawlings
3- Dawn Weigum
4- Aome Selk
5- Inayah Hays

Bikini Overall CO STATE Champion and Winner of The RING: Emily Patton!

Figure 35-40
1- Tera Harrington
2- Andrea Willems
3- Shannon Mullin
4- LeeAnn Samaco

Figure 40-45
1- Renee Bosco
2- Angel Granieri
3- Linda Potter
4- Katherine Ewald

Figure 45-50
1- Sandy Davis
2- Leasa Schwaebe
3- Cynthia Rickerd

Figure 50+
1- Gina Dawn Thorpe
2- Missy Moore-Lee

Age Group Figure Overall Champion – Tera Harrington

Figure NOVICE A Class
1 – Sandy Davis
2 – Andrea Willems
3 – Cynthia Rickerd
4 – Katherine Ewald

Figure NOVICE B Class
1- Jeri Kafoed
2- Gina Dawn Thorpe

Figure NOVICE C Class
1- Jamie Byron
2- Shannon Mullin
3- Shannon Stitt

Figure Novice Overall CO STATE NOVICE FIGURE CHAMPION: JERI KOFOED

Fitness
1 – Missy Moore-Lee

Fitness Overall CO STATE Champion and Winner of The RING:Missy Moore-Lee

OPEN Figure A Class
1 – Amy Manzanares
2 — Sandy Davis
3 — Andrea Willems
4 — Eraca Lee Sprague

OPEN Figure B Class
1 — Stephanie Spencer
2 – Tera Harrington
3 — Jeri Kofoed
4 — Angel Granieri
5 — Macy Mullins

OPEN Figure C Class
1 – Renee Bosco
2 — Amy Laner
3 — Jamie Byron
4 — Shannon Stitt
5 — Sarah Bork

OPEN Figure D Class
1 — Noora Kuusivuori
2 — Jessica Walter
3 — Linda Potter
4 — Jennifer Helms
5 — Amy Ferguson

OPEN Figure Overall CO STATE Champion & Winner of The RING:
Stephanie Spencer

Women’s Physique 40+
1- Sandy Davis
2- Mercy Gonzales

Women’s Physique A
1- Laura Gutilla
2- Sandy Davis
3- Angie Sprague

Women’s Physique B
1- Megan Casey
2- Mercy Gonzales

Women’s Physique C
1- Dalia McNeil

Women’s Physique CO State Overall Champion and Winner of The Ring: Laura Gutilla

Complete results & photo here!

Filed Under: NPC Tagged With: , , , , ,

Nearly One Million Dollars up for Grabs at The 2012 Olympia

July 16, 2012 by

The 2012 Olympia is quickly approaching and today American Media Inc. & The IFBB Pro Leauge, producers of the Olympia weekend, announced an increase in prize money. AMI Chairman and CEO David Pecker said, “The athletes at the Olympia are the best in their sport and the rewards they’re fighting for should be the biggest in the sport.” The prize money now totals $900,000 with $250,000 of that going to Mr.Olympia.


PRESS RELEASE:
OLYMPIA PRIZE MONEY HITS ALL-TIME HIGH
A staggering $900,000 is up for grabs at Joe Weider’s 2012 Olympia Fitness and Performance Weekend, plus a special surprise in store for next year.

America Media Inc. (AMI) and the IFBB Pro League, producers of the Olympia weekend are thrilled to announce that the prize money for this year’s event has been increased to $900,000. “We’re proud to be increasing the prize money at what continues to be the biggest event in bodybuilding,” said AMI Chairman and CEO David Pecker. “The athletes at the Olympia are the best in their sport and the rewards they’re fighting for should be the biggest in the sport.”

This year’s Mr. Olympia winner is guaranteed a cool quarter-million-dollar check for his accomplishment. In addition, the Bikini Olympia and the Olympia 212 Showdown prize totals will increase by a combined $25,000.

A new addition to next year’s Olympia, the IFBB Pro League has also announced that the winner of the 2012 Amateur Olympia will be granted a berth at the 2013 Mr. O. The 2012 IFBB Amateur Olympia is scheduled for November 29-30, at Kadalya Stadium in Kuwait City, Kuwait.

“The IFBB’s mission is to give athletes all over the world the opportunity to compete at the highest level,” said IFBB Pro League Chairman Jim Manion. “Thanks to the combined efforts of IFBB President Rafael Santonja, Mr. Olympia LLC and AMI, we are making it possible for athletes to follow their dreams and for fans of this great sport to see the best bodybuilders in the world.”

Industry leader Ultimate Nutrition once again presents Joe Weider’s 2012 Olympia Fitness and Performance Weekend brought to you by Bodybuilding.com. The weekend features the Mr. Olympia, 212 Showdown, Fitness, Figure, Bikini and Ms. Olympia contests and expo full of exciting events takes place September 27-30 in Las Vegas. Tickets are on sale now. Visit www.MrOlympia.com for further details.

2012 OLYMPIA PRIZE MONEY
Mr. Olympia
1st $250,000
2nd $100,000
3rd $75,000
4th $50,000
5th $40,000
6th $30,000
7th $18,000
8th $17,000
9th $16,000
10th $14,000
11th $4,000
12th $4,000
13th $4,000
14th $4,000
15th $4,000
16th $2,000
17th $2,000
18th $2,000
19th $2,000
20th $2,000
21st $2,000
22nd $2,000
23rd $2,000
24th $2,000
25th $2,000
TOTAL $650,000

Ms. Olympia
1st $28,000
2nd $14,000
3rd $8,000
4th $5,000
5th $3,000
6th $2,000
TOTAL $60,000

Fitness O.
1st $28,000
2nd $14,000
3rd $8,000
4th $5,000
5th $3,000
6th $2,000
TOTAL $60,000

Figure O.
1st $28,000
2nd $14,000
3rd $8,000
4th $5,000
5th $3,000
6th $2,000
TOTAL $60,000

Bikini O.
1st $15,000
2nd $6,000
3rd $4,000
4th $2,500
5th $1,500
6th $1,000
TOTAL $30,000

212 Showdown
1st $20,000
2nd $9,000
3rd $5,000
4th $3,000
5th $2,000
6th $1,000
TOTAL $40,000

GRAND TOTAL $900,000

Filed Under: News & Features, Olympia

Eat-Clean Diet® Author Tosca Reno Preps for Competition

July 16, 2012 by

The magazine business is a competitive one but Oxygen’s Tosca Reno is preparing for a different type of competition. She recently announced that she will be stepping on stage in a physique competition in honor of her late husband, Robert Kennedy. Robert Kennedy was the founder and publisher of Oxygen magazine and passed away in April. Tosca is a New York Times best-selling author with her “Eat-Clean Diet®”.

Tosca shared the news on her blog and wrote,”I invite you to travel along with me as I navigate the way through the good, the bad and the ugly of contest prep. BUT I won’t be doing it alone; I will have a new wingman at my side.” Her “wingman” will be Rita Catolino.

When commenting about food, Tosca writes,”Rita has decided to eliminate most grains for the time being and increase my healthy fat consumption, allowing my energy system and cognitive function to rely on fats as opposed to carbohydrates.”

She shares in another blog post, “We have chosen the Kitchener/Waterloo Oktoberfest Classic. It is put on by the Ontario Physique Association- a feeder into the Canadian Bodybuilding Federation and the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB). The show, which is an all natural event run by Melissa Shadd, will take place October 13th, 2012.”

Good luck Tosca!

Lead image compiled via youtube.

Filed Under: News & Features

Video: Game On World: Nike Training Club Live London

July 16, 2012 by

Nike continues to do incredible things with women. On July 7, 2012 Nike Training Club UK held their first-ever women’s training festival in London. Our Hardbody Training friend Marie Purvis (@NikeGetFit) was one of the featured trainers at this stellar events.

Via NIKE YOUTUBE:
On 7th July, 2012 Nike Training Club UK welcomed fans and friends down to NTC Live — our first-ever women’s training festival held Thames-side in London. Following massive NTC and yoga classes, the girls relaxed with massage, manicures, physio sessions, and a stellar performance from UK singer-songwriter Katy B.

To learn more about the NTC UK community, visit www.facebook.com/NikeTrainingClubUK.

Lead Image via Nike Youtube.

Filed Under: News & Features, Videos

U.S. Olympia Lolo Jones: “I Fought and Crawled My Way To The Top”

July 16, 2012 by

Every four years, during the Olympic Games, world-class athletes become the center of attention for sports enthusiasts and casual fans alike. There are always a handful of athletes who get a bit more attention than others and oe of those athletes, is Team USA’s Olympic Hurdler, Lolo Jones. The 29-year old speedster has “fought and crawled” her way to the top and captured the attention of magazines, sponsors and fans along the way.

Lolo is featured on the August cover of OXYGEN, a popular female fitness magazine. If you follow her on twitter (@lolojones) you get a feel for her personality. When she isn’t joking about her dating life (or lack of having a boyfriend) she’s tweeting humorous things like “Coach, told me to go do a pool workout. So I went & did some Push ups next to the pool. What?! I aint gettin this hair wet #mixedchick #afro.”

Featured Spread – Oxygen Magazine – August 2012 via OXYGENMAG.com

Lolo has been focused on one goal, Olympic Gold. She had the fastest time in the 100M Hurdles heading into the 2008 Beijing Olympics and was a favorite to win. She was on her way to accomplishing that goal until she clipped a hurdle in the finals. She finished out of medal contention and has been waiting for redemption since that moment. She’s currently in London hoping to take care of unfinished business.

Lolo Jones on the August Cover of Oxygen Magazine – via Oxygenmag.com

Oxygen interviewed Lolo and features her rigorous workout regime in the August issue. You can read the interview where she provides a sample Protein Fruit Smoothie recipe and shares insight on her favorite things. Follow Lolo on twitter @lolojones.

Lead image via Oxygenmag.com.

Filed Under: News & Features, Olympics

Figure Olympia Champ Erin Stern at the 2012 Crossfit Games

July 16, 2012 by

Figure Olympia Champion, Erin Stern is known for her athletic background, sic physique and knack for trying new feats of strength. Over the weekend, Erin ventured to California for the 2012 Reebook Crossfit Games on behalf of her supplement sponsor Dymatize. While at the Games, Erin learned the proper technique to lifting an atlas stone.

Check out the video from the event and subscribe to Erin’s Youtube channel where she shares more videos on a variety of topics.

Filed Under: Crossfit, News & Features, Videos

Annie’s Got Game – First Repeat Reebok Crossfit Games Champion

July 16, 2012 by

Elizabeth, Isabel and Fran helped decide who would win the 2012 Reebok CrossFit Games. Those familiar with the world of Crossfit will recognize those three names as a “WOD”. “WOD” is short for “Workout of the Day”, except at the Crossfit Games finalists do all three in the same day.


Individual athletes competed in a wide variety of events, over the span of five days, at the 2012 Reebok CrossFit Games to determine who would be “The Fittest On Earth.” In each event, athletes earned points based on their finishing order. The Athlete with the most points at the final event earns the title and $250,000. It’s one of the rare events that women earn the same as the men. A total of $1 million in prize money was awarded to athletes in 11 divisions, with $30,000 awarded to the top team, and $3,000 awarded to winners in each of the eight Masters divisions.

Iceland’s Annie Thorisdottir, whose last name translates to “Thor’s daughter”, was the odds-on favorite to win the 2012 women’s division and she delivered. A  veteran to the Games, Annie finished 28th in 2009, second in 2010 and won in 2011. It should be noted she had only a couple months of experience with Crossfit when she competed in 2009 and a testament to her athletic ability.

“Iceland Annie” credits her gymnastics background in helping her with Crossfit and when asked about her gymnastic background she shared, “it makes your core and everything get stronger, you get more aware of your body.”  She was certainly well aware of her body and proved to be stronger than a very competitive field at the 2012 Reebok Crossfit Games. Annie became the first repeat Crosssfit Games champion matched only by her male counter part Rich Froning.

23 year-old Julie Foucher finished in the runner-up position, up from repeat 5th place finishes in 2010 and 2011. Talayna Fortunato rounded out the top three, just four points behind Foucher.

2012 Reebok CrossFit Games
Place / Name /Points
1. Annie Thorisdottir (1062)
2. Julie Foucher (977)
3. Talayna Fortunato (973)
4. Kristan Clever (964)
5. Valerie Voboril (887)
6. Camille Leblanc-Bazinet (866)
7. Elisabeth Akinwale (859)
8. Jenny Davis (856)
9. Lindsey Valenzuela (845)
10. Rebecca Voigt (836)

Rich Froning repeated at the men’s champion. Matt Chan and Kyle Kasperbauer finished in second and third respectively.

About CrossFit
CrossFit Inc. is the world’s foremost developer of functional fitness programming and a leading accredited certificate issuer for physical training professionals worldwide. Founded by Greg Glassman, CrossFit® is the principal strength-and-conditioning program for hundreds of accomplished and professional athletes and hundreds of thousands of individuals seeking to achieve elite fitness. CrossFit offers specialty certificate courses and programs, including the CrossFit Kids program; publishes the CrossFit Journal; and created and operates the CrossFit Games, an annual event that seeks to find and crown the Fittest on Earthâ„¢. There are currently more than 4,000 affiliated gyms in the global CrossFit training network. For more information, please visit www.CrossFit.com.

Complete results from the Games available at http://games.crossfit.com/leaderboard.

Lead photo via: http://games.crossfit.com

Filed Under: Crossfit, News & Features

Hardbody Music: Chillout Mix with DJ Neev

July 13, 2012 by

We ran across this incredibly awesome mix by DJ Neev thanks to twitter. Our hardbody friend Marie Purvis shared a link to DJ Neev’s “Chillout Mix” that was created for the Nike Training Club Live event in London. Check out the mix made exclusively for the chillout area.

Time to relax with DJ Neev… Follow DJ Neev on twitter @neevofficial and “like” her facebook page. This is a rad mix that’s definitely HARDBODY! Check out the incredible stuff Nike Training Club UK is doing… https://www.facebook.com/NikeTrainingClubUK

Photo via DJ Neev Facebook.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Ad Watch: Kids 2012 – P&G London Olympic Games

July 13, 2012 by

Proctor & Gamble continues to produce great work in their “Thank You, Mom” campaign. Their most recent ad for the 2012 London Olympic Games features Olympic athletes their a mom’s point of view. To Moms, they will always be their kids. It’s an excellent approach and one we applaud.

Join P&G in saying “Thank you, Mom” by sending your mom a message of thanks at: http://Facebook.com/ThankYouMom. You can also follow the campaign on twitter.

PRESS RELEASE:
CINCINNATI, USA, 11 JULY 2012 – Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG), a Worldwide Olympic Partner and the company behind brands like Pampers®, Gillette® and Pantene®, today debuted “Kids,” the second advertisement in their global P&G Thank You Mom campaign series. “Kids” was launched simultaneously around the world today online, in advance of making its TV premiere during the Opening Ceremony. Click to watch: http://youtu.be/zRaQRbAxXaA

“Tomorrow marks the opening of the Olympic Village. The teams have all been chosen and, with just two weeks to go until the London 2012 Games, ten thousand athletes around the world are gearing up for the biggest competitions of their lives. The years of training and dedication will end in triumph for the best of the best,” said Marc Pritchard, P&G Global Brand Building Officer. “P&G is proud to be sponsoring 150 of these remarkable athletes through our brands. In addition, we’re also honoring the people who helped them on their journey to London – their moms – through our Thank You Mom campaign.”

The launch of “Kids” builds on the success of the other videos in P&G’s Olympic Games campaign. The “Best Job” film http://www.youtube.com/user/ProcterGamble/featured?v=NScs_qX2Okk and the “Raising an Olympian” series https://www.facebook.com/thankyoumom/app_351225601603842 have already garnered more than 26 million views since P&G launched the Thank You Mom campaign in April.

“We know from talking to moms of Olympians, that even though their children have grown into world-class athletes, they will always see them as little kids,” said Pritchard. “This insight serves as the inspiration behind our “Kids” spot, which we’re proud to unveil today, as the world is turning its attention to the athletes of London 2012.”

P&G recruited award-winning director Daniel Kleinman, named Adweek’s director of the decade in the “Best of the 2000s” feature, to create the spot.  Kleinman’s storytelling gives the viewer a unique perspective on the Olympic athletes through the eyes of their moms. The piece depicts seven different Olympic Games events, featuring approximately 245 kids from 16 different countries. The spot was filmed in the US and Great Britain and it will run online, in social media, TV and print.

“As I watched this commercial for the first time, it brought back so many memories of watching Ryan as a kid climbing onto the starting blocks,” said Ileana Lochte, mom of Olympian and three-time gold medalist Ryan Lochte. “Even now as I watch him compete, I always see him as my little boy.”

P&G’s Thank You Mom campaign kicked off in April and is coming to life through a variety of media channels and in-store with a worldwide retailer program that runs through August.  Olympic Games-themed P&G branded products are being featured in four million of stores across the globe.  As a part of the P&G Thank You Mom promotion, P&G has committed to raise $5 million to support local youth sports programs in many countries, through a portion of sales and donations from the company’s leadership brands including Pampers®, Tide®, Gillette® and Pantene®.

To make it easy for people to join in the Thank You Mom campaign, P&G also launched the “Thank You Mom app” that allows people to thank their own moms by uploading personalized content in the form of a video, still image with caption or text-based message. Users will then be able to encourage friends and family to do the same, spreading the word to thank and celebrate moms. To share your own Thank You Mom message, please visit http://www.facebook.com/thankyoumom/app_355982491091876.

To follow news and updates on the entire Thank You Mom campaign, consumers can visit and “like” www.facebook.com/thankyoumom.

For a full list of assets and information related to the P&G Thank You Mom campaign, including photos and video, visit www.PGThankYouMomMediaCenter.com.

# # #

 

About P&GP&G touches and improves the lives of about 4.4 billion people around the world with its portfolio of trusted, quality brands. The Company’s leadership brands include Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Fairy®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun®, Fusion®, Ace®, Febreze®, and Ambi Pur®. With operations in about 80 countries, P&G brands are available in more than 180 countries worldwide. Please visit pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

Photos provided by P&G

Filed Under: Ad Watch Tagged With: , , ,

More Female Athletes Than Men On U.S. Olympic Team

July 11, 2012 by

Borrowing a line from pop singer Beyonce, “Girls, we run this motha.” The official U.S. Olympic Team will have more female athletes on its roster than males. It’s an encouraging statistic that falls on the 40th anniversary year of Title IX and a testament to women in sports.


The U.S. Olympic Committee released its official roster for 2012 Olympic Games and it includes 269 women. This marks the first time in history that women outnumber the men (261) on the U.S. team. The oldest American on the roster is 54-year old Karen O’Connor, an equestrian rider and the youngest, 15-year old swimmer, Katie Ledecky. There are 13 moms on the team.

The Olympics start July 27 in London.

 

 

Parts of this story were from The Associated Press.

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

Vote for your favorite ESPN The Magazine BODY cover.

July 10, 2012 by

ESPN The Magazine launches it’s fourth annual “BODY issue this week and today we received a look at the six different covers. The annual issue will feature 27 athletes from a variety of sports. The six athletes gracing the cover are Candace Parker, Ronda Rousey, Daniela Hantuchova, Jose Bautista, Tyson Chandler and Rob Gronkowski.


ESPN’s Front Row spoke with The Mag’s Deputy Editor, Neely Lohmann how the covers were chosen.

“We had an overwhelming number of truly amazing photographs to choose from this year, which is why there are six covers. We wanted to have as many as we could get because whittling the photographs down to the best of the best isn’t easy. When making the final call, we paid attention to diversity — we like to have a good mix of men and women, a good mix of different body types represented, different sports, etc.”

Read the complete interview with Neely on ESPN.com and you can see the behind-the-scenes video with some of the athletes at www.espn.com/bodyissue.

We have a couple covers that we’re partial to but which is YOUR favorite? Cast your vote below.

Jose Bautista

Tyson Chandler

Rob Gronkowski

Daniela Hantuchova

Candace Parker

Ronda Rousey

 

{democracy:239}

Images via https://www.facebook.com/ESPNMagazine

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

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