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Archives for September 2012

Amanda Latona’s Nutrition Plan to Staying Hardbody

September 25, 2012 by

Amanda Latona is currently one of the most published fitness models in the industry. She’s graced numerous magazine covers, been featured countless times and can be seen in a number of BSN ads. Amanda shares her nutrition philosophy with Bodybuilding.com on how she keeps hardbody despite a demanding schedule. She says, “eat for fuel.” Sound Advice.

Amanda’s Nutrition Philosophy via bodybuilding.com
I started out in the fitness industry with just a pure passion and love of training.

Putting in so much hard work in the gym, it only made sense to get the most out of my training, so I would eat for fuel. That sums up my eating, really.

My nutrition philosophies are:
• Use food as fuel.
• Eat what God put on this earth. I eat whole foods, limit my sugar, and stay away from high-sodium processed foods.
• Eat balanced by using a variety of foods for their vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, etc. Be balanced by giving in to a cheat meal once in a while to keep from feeling totally deprived. Enjoy life and special occasions.
• Eat lots of protein, complex carbs, and lots and lots of veggies.
• Instead of having a full-out junk food binge, I listen to my body. If I really need chocolate, then I have it.

Check out the entire feature on Bodybuilding.com to get her schedule and what she’s eating.

Filed Under: News & Features, NUTRITION

2012 Olympia Weekend: Ms. Olympia Preview

September 25, 2012 by

Bodybuilding.com‘s David Robson breaks down the Ms. Olympia Bodybuilding competition. Can anyone beat Iris Kyle? She’s going for her 8th title but it won’t come easy.

2012 Olympia Weekend: Ms. Olympia Preview via Bodybuilding.com
by David Robson

Long-standing dynasties have defined the Ms. Olympia in its 32-year history. From Cory Everson’s initial dominance to Iris Kyle’s recent unbeatable physique, the division has been utterly dominated by a handful of incredible physiques. Kyle looks to tie Lenda Murray as the most decorated women’s bodybuilder of all time at the 2012 Ms. Olympia.

Women’s bodybuilding is entering a new phase in its ongoing transformation, an essential paradigm shift. Super-freaky mass and shredded conditioning doesn’t guarantee podium finishes anymore. Today’s game of assorted shapes and sizes captures audiences and draws into question the evolving definition of “ripped.”

Read the entire preview here.

Filed Under: Olympia

2012 Figure Olympia: Hardbody Preview & Predictions

September 25, 2012 by

The 2012 Figure Olympia has arrived once again. In the nine years of competition at the Olympia, only five champions have been crowned. Two of those champs return to this year’s stage. Can anyone crack the top spots and prevent Erin Stern or Nicole Wilkins from repeating? Check out the breakdown on each competitor (before the Olympia Qualification Series finished) and who could be your leading ladies in this year’s line-up.

2012 olympia


2012 Olympia Weekend: Figure Olympia Preview via bodybuilding.com
The storyline at this year’s Figure Olympia is the same as last year’s, and the two years before that. Those of you who follow the IFBB Pro Figure division know I’m talking about the match-up of Nicole Wilkins versus Erin Stern.

One of the two has been champ, and the other one runner-up, for three Olympia Weekends running. Is 2012 finally the time someone can shake things up and knock one of the two of them down a peg?

With the seasons Stern and Wilkins have been having, it doesn’t look any more likely than usual.


Read the preview and predictions here.

 

Filed Under: Olympia, Show Previews

Inspirational Olympia Photos

September 25, 2012 by

Get into the Olympia spirit by taking a look back at some inspiring photos from the 2011 Olympia weekend. Bodybuilding.com has highlighted a variety of images from last year’s big event. Check it out and share your favorite with your friends on Facebok, twitter and pinterest.


Picture Perfect: 20 Inspirational Olympia Shots
Every Olympia, the world’s best physique athletes walk the stage and showcase their hard work. Get ready for the 2012 Olympia with these shots from last year’s competition!

 


Some of the world’s best will be performing again in Las Vegas.

Filed Under: News & Features, Olympia, PHOTOS & VIDEOS

NPC Announces July Athletes of the Month

September 25, 2012 by

The NPC has announced the its July athletes of the month for each of the seven divisions. Congratulations to all who were selected see the news release below for more information.

npc july

 

NATIONAL PHYSIQUE COMMITTEE AND GASPARI NUTRITION ANNOUNCE JULY ATHLETES OF THE MONTH

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA (September 21, 2012) – The National Physique Committee and Gaspari Nutrition have named Darron Glenn, Tierany Chretien, Francine Sablan, Ashley Kaltwasser, Trent Calavan, Samantha Hill and Babette Mulford NPC Athletes of the Month in their respective divisions.

All of the seven athletes competed and earned IFBB pro cards during the month of July, the busiest month of the NPC season for pro qualifying-contests. All of the athletes will be profiled on the NPC News Online and will receive free product from Gaspari Nutrition.

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 in-person analysis and on the information provided by contest promoters across the country and featured in the NPC News Online Contest Roundups every Monday.

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


About the July Athletes of the Month:
– Men’s Bodybuilding: Darron Glenn won the Light Heavyweight and Overall at the USA Championships. Glenn, 32, was the runner-up in the light heavyweight division in 2011.

– Women’s Bodybuilding: Tierany Chretien of Richardson, Texas, won the Light Heavyweight and Overall at the USAs.

– Figure: Francine Sablan, 28, won the Overall at the USAs. Sablan started competing in 2010 and won her class in all but one of her six NPC contests.

– Bikini: Ashley Kaltwasser claimed the Overall at the Team Universe in early July. Kaltwassser, 23, is from Akron, Ohio.

– Men’s Physique: Trent Calavan of Pflugerville, Texas, won his class and the Overall at the USAs.

– Women’s Physique: Former bikini competitor Samantha Hill won the Overall at the USAs. Hill began her career in the bikini division but switched to physique for the 2012 season.

– Fitness: Babette Mulford of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, won her class and an IFBB pro card at the Fitness Nationals.

 

 

Filed Under: News & Features

Hardbody Road To The Olympia: Dianna Dahlgren – Rounding The Booty

September 23, 2012 by

We’re in the single digits in the countdown to the Olympia. One of the leading ladies of the bikini division, Dianna Dahlgren gives us an update on her current state of mind and what her schedule will be like this week. Check it out in her post below and see what’s she doing for her final workouts and where you can meet the cover girl during throughout the Olympia weekend.

 

 

A COMPETITOR’S LIFE
5 days out
By Dianna Dahlgren

Hello to all my fellow hardbodiess!!!

I CAN’T BELIEVE there are only a few days left till the 2012 Bikini Olympia. Time has been flying! This last week is really all about enjoying the process of getting ready to leave and pamper thy self! Every morning waking up and seeing your body be ‘stage ready’ is the icing on the cake! I tend to catch myself slipping to a negative side a lot just because I’m inpatient! I want Friday to be here now! but like I said I remind myself to slow down, and cherish the process. Only a few workouts left as well, of course focusing on my round bootay! Keeping it nice n round and hitting cardio afterwards!

Heres’  a little sample of what I’ll be doing up until Friday:
• Glute Pushbacks, heavy weight, 20 reps, 4 sets
• Standing Glute Pushbacks, medium weight, 15 reps, 4 sets
• Then I stay on the same machine and turn my foot and hip outward so it hits the top of the side and top of the glutes! medium weight, 15 reps, 4 sets

Cardio afterwards consists of the Stair Master, most dread this machine but really it is THE BEST machine for the bootay! I go for 45 minutes and step every 2 steps instead of every step!

The days will be filled with enjoying this final week by packing, mani and pedi and making sure everything is all set for the big show this weekend!

This weekend you can meet me at:
• Thursday Night – Meet the Olympians
• Friday – I’ll be busy competing this day but come watch Prejudging at the Expo in the morning and finals will be held at the Orleans arena that night!
• Saturday – I’ll be at the Expo working with GNC all day!

I’D LOVE TO MEET YOU! Come by and say hi!

Till next time,
DD

Filed Under: Competitor's Corner

Amanda Latona’s Training – Keep the Body Guessing

September 23, 2012 by

Amanda has become one of of the leading ladies and she done it by working hard and following her passion, the love for training. Bodybuilding.com took note and is currently featuring Amanda in their on-going 360 series. In this portion of the feature she talks about her training philosophy and techniques she likes to implement along the way.

amanda latona training workout


Amanda’s Training Philosophy via Bodybuilding.com
Keep the body guessing!

I love training. I have been reading everything I can get my hands on since I was 18-years-old, and I love acquiring knowledge. I always perform a variety of training styles and techniques in my workouts. I go between heavy lifting days,light days, and moderate days. I incorporate techniques like super-sets, tri-sets, giant
sets, drop-sets, rest pauses, pyramids, negatives, and circuits.

Whatever I do keeps my body guessing, and keeps it very fun for me. For cardio, I do between 3-to-5 days per week, depending on if I’m competing. I do not believe in doing hours of cardio. I keep my cardio duration shorter and rely on HIIT. I believe in lifting and clean eating instead of endless cardio. This is what has worked for me.

I never do the same workout. I keep a log and always change my exercises. I start each workout with a compound exercise to allow me to go heavier.

CLICK HERE TO GET AMANDA’S TRAINING PROGRAM.

Filed Under: News & Features, TRAINING

Hardbody Road To The Olympia: Teresa Anthony Update

September 21, 2012 by

IFBB Figure Pro stops by and talks for the first time where her heads and what it’s like competing before the Olympia. Teresa also talks about the challenge of prepping for a show while working full-time at a “regular” job. She’s just one week out from the biggest show of the year and she’s ready to rock.

STAYING FOCUSED
1 week out
By Teresa Anthony

I competing in the Tournament of Champion in California as a warm up show, third place…not bad at all. I return from California Sunday afternoon, one show down… one more to go. Rebounding from one show to another is sometimes mentally challenging for me. Getting a little taste of food you have craved for months can be a little tough to give up… so the key is stay focused and keep your eye on the next goal.

The TOC gave me a chance a experiment with a fuller look (for my physique anyway), which I was satisfied with the look I bought to the stage. My main goal for the Olympia is to bring a tighter yet fuller look and enjoy the moment. Here we go…

The week after the TOC has been a challenging one, between work which is always hectic during September because of the end of the Government fiscal year and trying to maintain my training and dieting regime. On Monday, I was back in the gym at 4:45 am doing cardio (working off some good food I had with friends) and then off to my work day and gym again. The first three days after the show has been tough, my mind and body was exhausted but I had no time for slacking. So with that said, I modified my workouts by super-setting my workouts for no more 45 minutes weighting training and 30 minutes cardio (moderate intensity). My thinking was if I could get a little rest for those three days, it would assist me in getting back to my regular regime. By that Thursday physically I was well rested and back on regular regime full speed.

So here we are 1 week out from the Olympia… maintaining my current weight, practicing my stage presence and just trying to stay as stress free as possible is my main goal for the next few day. Check in later y’all…

Teresa

Filed Under: Competitor's Corner

Hardbody Women Featured on Bodybuilding.com

September 21, 2012 by

Bodybuilding.com showcases 15 females and “prove that strong is sexy, muscular definition is jaw-dropping, and fitness is worth the fight.” You might recognize a few of these women as we’ve showcased and featured here on HARDBODY. Take a look and you’ll likely see someone who will help you get inspired.

See all of the women here.

Filed Under: PHOTOS & VIDEOS

Video: Nine Queens – Progression Of Women’s Freeskiing with Jen Hudak

September 21, 2012 by

It’s not winter yet but this video makes us kinda wish it was. Professional freeskier Jen Hudak takes the lead on this video and describes women’s freeskiing progression and as you can see in the video below it definitely has. This is an amazing video that showcases the best female freeskiing hardbodies in the world. RAD!

From Vimeo
About Nine Queens:
Three years ago Nico Zacek, Germany’s number one freeski pro innovated the freeskiing world with an original event concept. The idea was simple: Nico built a distinctive jump obstacle and brought together the best athletes, photographers and film crews from all over the world and offered them perfect setting. From this winning formula NINE KNIGHTS was born and only three years later it has developed into one of the most anticipated freeski events in the world.

This big success was the reason why Nico thought about a female edition of his medieval spectacle. Who else could be the host of a NINE QUEENS Freeski event if not his good friend and Völkl team mate Virginie Faivre from Switzerland? Virginie, the current FIS- halfpipe world champion and repeated winner of the European Open, is now looking forward to inviting some of the best female freeskiers like Sarah Burke, Kaya Turski, Grete Eliasson, and Eva Patscheider to their contest highlight of the year. From March 21th to 25th the great skiing resort of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis in Tyrol (Austria) will be the host location for the NINE QUEENS chateau, a unique jump- and jib feature, built by the Schneestern crew who also built all NINE KNIGHTS obstacles. Some outstanding photographers and film crews will be on hand to record the best that the world’s female freeskiing royalty has to offer.

To help us all carry on Sarah’s legacy, please support the Sarah Burke foundation, you can find more info at: sarahburkefoundation.org

Filed Under: News & Features, Snow, Videos

Arnold Schwarzenegger Releases Trailer for New Book

September 20, 2012 by

Amazon.com describes Arnold Schwarenegger’s new book as”one of the most anticipated autobiographies of this generation.” Total Recall is the candid story by one of the world’s most remarkable actors, businessmen, and world leaders. Born in the small city of Thal, Austria, in 1947, Arnold Schwarzenegger moved to Los Angeles at the age of twenty-one. Within ten years, he was a millionaire businessman. After twenty years, he was the world’s biggest movie star. In 2003, he was elected governor of California and a household name around the world.

Would you expect anything less from Arnold than to promote his new book via a movie style trailer? Check it out.

Chronicling his embodiment of the American Dream, Total Recall covers Schwarzenegger’s high-stakes journey to the United States, from creating the international bodybuilding industry out of the sands of Venice Beach, to breathing life into cinema’s most iconic characters, and becoming one of the leading political figures of our time. Proud of his accomplishments and honest about his regrets, Schwarzenegger spares nothing in sharing his amazing story.

Story description from Amazon.com

Filed Under: News & Features

Hardbody Road To The Olympia: Juliana Daniell’s Juggling Act

September 17, 2012 by

IFBB Pro Juliana Daniell joins us on her Road to The Olympia. Juliana will be making her second appearance on the big stage and she’s looking to stay in the top spots. She has one of the more athletic physiques in the division and it can be attributed to her years of swimming as well as her continued work as NBA cheerleader.

atlanta hawks cheerleader

The Juggle, The Struggle, and The Satisfaction
1.5 weeks out
By Juliana Daniell

This year’s Olympia prep for me has been nothing like the last. This will be my second year taking the Olympia stage in the bikini division and it will be an array of emotions when I do. Normally my prep is somewhat relaxed and the only thing I focus on; however this year the word relax and tunnel vision have been no where in my daily routine! But with all the craziness, I have never lost sight of what I want to achieve or lost the motivation to continue.

I do, and am part of, a lot of things outside of competing and usually they all fall into a nice pattern, nothing overlaps, and I can very easily manage everything.But this year, the entire year for that matter, has been completely opposite the norm! It has forced me to become more organized and assign priorities to certain things. I like to give myself ample time in between shows to make sure I stay mentally in the game as well as give my body some rest between prepping for shows. But this year, because of my Hawks (Atlanta’s NBA team) schedule, I haven’t been able to do that.

I recently competed in the Sarasota Pro show and then spent this past week in Biloxi, MS for the Atlanta Hawks Cheerleaders calendar photo shoot! This past weekend I had to attend our team retreat as well as take part in our uniform photo shoot. So between the prep for Sarasota, the travel for our photo shoot (and being away from my gym and kitchen), and the lack of time for myself (and sleep!!) it’s made things a little harder for me than normal. But even with all of the craziness going on in my life, I can honestly say I feel better and more prepared than I ever have before. Competing in Sarasota was actually a great thing for me because it forced me to get show ready early and now I am just tweaking things instead of changing them! Which is a relief mentally and physically. And because of how busy I’ve been recently, sticking to my diet has been much easier than normal because my mind is always occupied. My diet is very similar to last years; lots of fish, chicken, veggies, and very little carbs. My cardio however is slightly more than normal, 2 – 2.5 hours/day, but I’m okay with it because I can see changes already and I love them. I’m planning to come in a little smaller at this year’s Olympia compared to what I was at the Arnold this past March and I’m excited for it.

The only other thing that’s different this year compared to last is I’m a member of Team Bombshell and I love it! =) The support and knowledge that Shannon and Rob provide is just incredible. I know the reason I feel so prepared, mentally and physically, is because I believe in them, their program, and myself. And not to mention I absolutely love my teammates and the friendships I have developed over the last few months. It really makes such a huge difference, at or away from shows, when you have girls you can talk to and lean on when things are good, or bad, or just normal. Because as much as your boyfriend, mom, and friends who don’t compete try to help you, it’s just not the same because they truly don’t get it or understand what you’re going through! No offense y’all! 🙂

I’m less than two weeks out and know that the next few days are critical. Thankfully the craziness that’s been my life recently is lessening and I will be able to rest and focus a little more. But my drive and determination to bring my best package yet is in overdrive and I am excited to show y’all the final product. I’ll check back in sometime next week and give y’all an update! Until then, stay strong, stay motivated, and believe in YOURSELF! And if you have any questions please feel free to leave me a message on my facebook fan page or email me!

Juliana

If you can’t make it to the Olympia you can still watch Juliana and all the other competitors live on webcast via bodybuilding.com

Filed Under: Competitor's Corner, Olympia

Extra Exposure for NPC National Bikini Winners

September 17, 2012 by

The 2012 NPC Nationals are quickly approaching. This year’s event will be held in Atlanta, Georgia. The Bikini division continues to grow every year and this year has been no different. Many of the bikini competitors are having success not only on the stage but also away from it in a variety of ways. This year’s NPC Bikini winners will have a new opportunity thanks to promoter Steve Karel and the NPC.


FROM NPCNEWSONLINE.COM
NPC National Media Director and promoter of the 2012 NPC Nationals, Steve Karel, has developed an avenue through his Stonecutter Media Ltd. arm, to further expose the Bikini Division and its Nationals class winners to the general public. Through his work in the boxing and MMA worlds, he has made arrangements for all Nationals Bikini Class Winners (6) to be eligible to appear on-camera as ring-card girls at a King of the Cage nationally televised MMA event, seen on MAV-TV-HD, and on a Star Boxing national cable broadcast such as ESPN, Showtime and NBC Sports Network. Additionally, these class winners will also potentially be interviewed on air and host a VIP event reception at these events because of their accomplishments. –

Read more on the announcement on npcnewsonline.com and visit nationalbodybuilding.com for information on the show.

Filed Under: News & Features

IFBB St. Louis Pro Bikini Results – Justine Munro Wins

September 15, 2012 by

The 2012 St. Louis Pro Bikini, the final show before the 2012 Olympia, is in the books. Looking her best ever, Canadian IFBB Bikini Pro, Justine Munro took home top honors and a return trip to the Olympia stage. This was Justine’s first IFBB pro victory since debuting at the 2010 Ft. Lauderdale Cup. Coming in second was IFBB rookie pro Ruth Harrison who via the new Olympia point system has also qualified for the Olympia. The second place finish earned her 4 points and in a tie for the fifth and final spot to the Olympia. Rounding out the top three was Jersey girl, Dayna Maleton. This breaks Dayna’s streak of four consecutive fourth place finishes. Dayna will also be heading to the Olympia via the new Qualification Series.

2012 IFBB ST. LOUIS PRO BIKINI RESULTS:
1. Justine Munro
2. Ruth Harrison
3. Dayna Maleton
4. Jennifer Andrews
5. Marcela Tribin
6. Gemmalyn Crosby
7. Deborah Lee
8. Christy Cook
9. Nicole Moneer
10. Michon Leddy
11. Michelle Trasey

View contest photos here.

Filed Under: Contest Results, IFBB

IFBB St. Louis Pro Bikini – HARDBODY Prejudging Report

September 15, 2012 by

The IFBB St. Louis Pro Bikini contest is the last pro contest before the 2012 Olympia. Eleven women entered the contest in hopes of making it to the big show. Jennifer Andrews and Nicole Moneer were already qualified so the pressure was off them this time around. Heading into this event, Dayna Maleton, Justine Munro and Marcela Tribin were all tied for second in the new Olympia Qualification System. Now that prejudging is over who will win and who will we see on the Olympia stage in two weeks? Let’s break it down.

st louis bikini

 

2012 IFBB ST. LOUIS PRO BIKINI COMPETITORS:
See prejudging photos from the IFBB and NPC portion of the show here.

1. Jennifer Andrews – Posing was relaxed and control. A bit lean in the mid-section and a bit of water in the lower body. Will need to tighten up a bit before the Olympia in the lower half without getting any leaner in the upper body. Good hair and makeup, nice suit.

2. Christy Cook – Constantly improving what she brings to the stage. Looked her best as a pro and was super relaxed in her presentation. Tough line up but would have put her a bit higher than she will finish here today.

3. Gemmalyn Crosby – Cute woman, looked a bit better here than she did in Sarasota, which was her best look to date. I’m not a fan of the orange suit and although she can pull it off better than others, I’d like to see her make a suit color change.

4. Ruth Harrison – Great pro debut. She’s one of the taller competitors in the pro ranks. Great booty, nice presentation. She could be a tad tighter in the glutes and hamstrings but overall a very solid debut. I’m not crazy about the bright red lipstick though. Good presentation and will be in the top spots.

5. Michon Leddy – A little too muscular in the upper body and needs to bring the booty down in size and come in a bit tighter from the backside as well. Pro debut and while she won’t finish in the top spots, she presented well.

6. Deborah Lee – She’ll catch your attention with her eye popping red suit and the way her “girls” are hiked up. Definitely the best she’s looked on stage and a good debut. Thought her body looked great and would have put her higher than where she’ll finish. Only thing that stood out is to hide the emotions when not called out in top spots. Things can always change and when in the comparison rounds looked a little upset.

7. Dayna Maleton – Dayna has brought her muscle down from previous shows. Presents 1000x better than she used to and is much more relaxed on stage. Overall her best showing to date. Could have used a little more oil and would like to see her not sit on her legs so much in some poses. Her left leg can show some separation at times when she poses too flexed. She’ll be in the top spots, my guess is top 3.

8. Nicole Moneer  – Nicole looked her best as a pro. She had fun presenting and one of the better presentations she’s delivered. The time off did her body good and it looked rested. She doesn’t quite have the muscle, primarily in the lower body that some of the other women do in this field. Overall her showing was improved from Pittsburgh, earlier this year.

9. Justine Munro – Justine was rocking straight hair & straight bangs. I dig the look and it’s one that works for her but wouldn’t for everyone. Thought it was her best look to date. Toned but not too lean. Legs weren’t overpowering her upper body like we’ve seen in some shows. She had the best booty on stage and you could tell she was confident. I have her winning and if she brings this to the Olympia she’ll be in the mix of the top 10.

10. Marcela Tribin – Typically Marcela draws you in with her stage presence and smile. That seemed to be lacking a bit today. Missing was that confidence in her walk and that million dollar smile. Tan was a bit muddy. She’s done a number of shows back to back and traveling from Columbia could also have something to do with it. She’ll likely be in the top 5 though. The red suit color works for her.

11. Michelle Trasey – Michelle has a blast when she presents and defines “sass” on stage. She needs to bring a bit tighter booty to the stage and not so sure green is the best color for her. She won’t be in the top spots here but still one of her better showings since turning pro. Just a juggling act with the lower body being tight without being too lean in the upper body.

I think it will end up being…
1. Justine Munro
2. Ruth Harrison
3. Dayna Maleton
4. Jennifer Andrews
5. Marcela Tribin

If Justine wins, she is automatically in the Olympia. If Ruth wins she is in however if she finishes in second to anyone but Jennifer, she would still get in via the Olympia Qualification System. Second would give her 4 points, which would tie her with Lacey DeLuca for the fifth and final spot. Dayna and Marcela will each collect points (as will Justine if she doesn’t win) and head to the Olympia via the new point system. Taylor Matheny will also get in however did not compete today.

See prejudging photos from the IFBB and NPC portion of the show here.

Finals are tonight at 6pm CST.

 

Filed Under: IFBB, News & Features

Hardbody Road to The Olympia: Nicole Nagrani Juggles Demanding Schedule

September 14, 2012 by

Reining Bikini Olympia champion, Nicole Nagrani updates us on what’s happening in her world as she prepares for her title defense. Nicole is a full-time student and en route to medical school. There aren’t many competitors who are taking two college tests the week of a show. She also shares some of her favorite supplements and how they help boost her energy and recovery time.

 

nicole nagrani bikini champion

 

A COMPETITOR’S LIFE
2.5 weeks out
By Nicole Nagrani

There’s only a little over two weeks until the Olympia and honestly, I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THE TIME WENT! I really cant believe its almost here!!!!

So, about a week ago I moved into my own place and started attending my FINAL semester of my undergraduate studies! I am applying to medical school, have a full-time course load, and am training for the Olympia so I’m extremely busy! I’m guessing you all know that feeling where you start stressing yourself out because too many important things are going on. You just start to feel completely overwhelmed… well that’s how I feel. But, its time to strap up and go full force! I am so determined to look my best ever and with more things on my plate there is no time for distractions.

I get messages all the time asking how I manage school and training… and sometimes I don’t even know how! I always write back, that its just because I want to feel like every time I put time into something, I want it to be well worth it. I want to commit my energy to things that are productive, things I can look back on and be proud of. Not things that I will say, “dang, I wish I could’ve tried harder or done better.” I most definitely don’t want to look back at the Olympia pictures and think I could’ve done a lot more to look better than I did.

Of course I have a ton of homework, two tests the week of the show, and deadlines for applications. But I can either choose to let myself go crazy or just do it. You can either choose to let yourself be overwhelmed, or just approach everything head on and know your going to tackle it. Your mind controls everything that goes on around you because of the way you perceive it. If you want to achieve in something, then just tell yourself you will, and act like it! Then… you will! I’m not kidding, it really works. So try it next time you have doubts or are thinking negatively about something. The mind is really so powerful and anything you set your mind to you can make reality. There’s a reason we grow up hearing those words all of the time.

There’s a few things on my supplement program that I’ve added that I’m starting to see really great results with recovery and energy. If you’re interested in finding new products here are some of my favorites

All of the listed products are MET-Rx supplements

• L-carnitine – I noticed that I started to drop weight faster when I started taking this product. I also experienced an increase in energy.

• Active woman multivitamin– This capsule contains all of the necessary nutrients I need to get through the intense training.

• HMB 1000 – Ive experienced increased strength which has been helpful since Im lifting heavier for my upper body to put on size

• Super Joint guard – with all of the cardio and intense training, its important to not only make sure you are using the proper form, but taking supplements to support joint protection is always a good idea.

• ZMA – contains zinc, magnesium, and b-6 which is good for energy and metabolism

• BCAA 2200 – muscle breakdown can be a side effect when training really hard. I take BCAAs to prevent this and this product contains nitrogen to support the various metabolic processes within our bodies

• L- glutamine 1000 – helps with muscle recovery and also aids in maintaining a healthy immune system

So I may have a lot on my plate, but I won’t let anything get in my way on the road to this years Olympia. I have a goal in sight, and I will do anything and everything to reach it.

See photos of Nicole here. Follow Nicole on twitter @nicolenagrani and become a fan on Facebook.

Filed Under: Competitor's Corner, Olympia

3rd Annual Ft. Lauderdale Cup Photographers Shootout

September 12, 2012 by

Ladies, this is your chance to shoot with three published photographers in the fitness industry and at one location. There are limited spots available and at the time of this writing only a couple time slots are left. See the details below how you can book your shoot with J.M. Manion, Isaac Hinds and Rob Rosetti in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida October 17-19, 2012.

 


Show in the image above are Catherine Holland, Marcela Tribin and Deborah Lee. A number of women who participated in this shoot have gone on to be recognized in the fitness industry. It was this shoot where Nathalia Melo had some of her first fitness images taken. Limited spots are left. For more information contact the booking agent, Vanessa Campbell at ifbbprov@gmail.com.

Find out more info on the NPC/IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Cup that will be held that weekend.

Filed Under: News & Features

McDonald’s USA Adding Calorie Count to Menus

September 12, 2012 by

McDonald’s USA announced that they will be adding calorie information on restaurant and drive-thru menus nationwide. Local Dallas McDonald’s Owner/Operator, Jeff Smith said, “At McDonald’s, we recognize customers want to know more about the nutrition content of the food and beverages they order.” It’s nice to see this is being added to help educate consumers on what they are ordering. The big questions are… will it cause you to select a healthier option and if you’re at McDonald’s are you really there based on nutritional value?

 

mcdonalds calorie count

 

MEDIA ALERT
McDONALD’S USA ADDING CALORIE COUNTS TO MENU BOARDS IN NORTH TEXAS
Dallas, Texas, (Sept. 12, 2012) – McDonald’s leadership takes further steps in journey toward helping customers, employees make informed nutrition choices Menu Board Labeling to Inform Customer Choices

“At McDonald’s, we recognize customers want to know more about the nutrition content of the food and beverages they order,” said Jeff Smith, local Dallas, McDonald’s Owner/Operator. “As a company that has provided nutrition information for more than 30 years, we are pleased to add to the ways we make nutrition information available to our customers and employees in North Texas and throughout the United States.”

WHAT: Today, McDonald’s announced that, starting this month, the company will list calorie information on restaurant and drive-thru menus nationwide, including all North Texas Restaurants, to further inform and help customers and employees make nutrition-minded choices.

WHY: According to recent research by the International Food Information Council Foundation, about 15 percent of Americans accurately estimate the number of calories they need to maintain their weight. This past summer, McDonald’s introduced a “Favorites Under 400” menu that highlights the calorie information for some of customers’ favorite foods and beverages to help put calorie counts in better context.

Filed Under: News & Features

Hardbody Road To The Olympia: Canadian Fitness Star Fiona Harris

September 12, 2012 by

IFBB Fitness Pro Fiona Harris will be competing in her first Olympia in just a few weeks. She’s already made an immediate impact on the pro ranks by finishing in the top three in both of her pro shows. Even more amazing is that she wasn’t even a pro at the start of 2012. We caught up with Fiona to learn a bit more about her and her background. She shares what it’s like to go from gymnastics to cheerleading and how that’s helped her on the IFBB stage. She shares a sample work out, the importance of having a coach and more. Check it out.

HARDBODY INTERVIEW with Fiona Harris

Name:
Fiona Harris



Born in:
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

Currently Live In:
Welland, Ontario, Canada



Occupation:
Specialist Representative – Pharmaceutical Sales

What did you want to be as little girl?
Like most kids, I wanted to be a doctor.  I always wanted to help people feel better when they were sick.  As I got older, I realized I wasn’t interested in devoting so many years of my life to school.  My current profession still allows me to work closely within the medical field and help optimize patient’s health. It’s a great fit for me.

What age did you start gymnastics?
I started training when I was 4 years old.  I continued my gymnastics career until I was 16 years old.  At that point, I transitioned into cheerleading.

What level did you reach?
I competed at level 8-9 provincially.

How did you get started in cheerleading?
My high school had a high level competitive cheerleading team.  Once my coach found out I had a gymnastics background, she strongly encouraged me to join.  I started with the team in grade 10 and then slowly transitioned over the next couple of years from gymnastics to cheerleading.   Gymnastics is a difficult sport to continue as you reach your later teenage years at a high competitive level.  This was a way to continue my love for gymnastics in a new sport.

What did you enjoy more, cheerleader or gymnastics?
Gymnastics will always be in my heart.  I grew up training so many hours a week; it was like my home away from home.  I gained lifelong friends that are still close with me to this day.  It is definitely a sport that teaches you self-discipline and commitment.  I attribute my drive, hard work, strong work ethic and love for athletics to my years of competing in gymnastics. Cheerleading however opened many doors for me.  It enabled me to work all across the United States as a professional cheerleader.  It was an amazing learning experience.

How did you get your start in competitive fitness?  
I have always continued to be an active individual, training in the gym and involving myself in different sports to satisfy my competitive drive.  But, I felt my progress with my physique had stalled and I was looking for a new challenge.  I reached out to my long-time friend and IFBB Fitness Pro Mindi O’Brien to shake things up.  While training with her, I was exposed to her team of figure and bikini competitors.  I was inspired by the dedication and commitment to their sport.  Mindi had always encouraged me to compete, but it took some time for me to come to the self-realization that I had the potential and belonged on stage with these other amazing competitors.  I competed for the first time in November 2010.  My goal was simple – overcome my fears, step on stage and display all my hard work.  Never did I think I would walk away with a first place trophy.  And that was it – one show and I was hooked! The competitive fire was re-lit inside me and it has been burning ever since.

fiona harris routine

Fiona fly high in Pittsburgh


What aspect of your gymnastics background do you feel has helped you the most now that you’re competing as a pro?  
Having a gymnastics background can definitely be an advantage when competing in fitness, but by no means is it a requirement.  Many of the best fitness competitors in the world have little to no formal gymnastics training.  There are so many other important components to the routines such as flexibility, strength and showmanship.  More important than the elements, gymnastics instilled the key qualities that are essential for any successful competitor – drive, dedication, discipline and a competitive fire.

How important is it to have a good coach/trainer?   
Absolutely imperative!  I am a firm believer that you are only as good as the people you surround yourself with.  My success to date has been the direct result of my coaches Mindi O’Brien and Dennis Beitler.  Ask them the same question and they will say it is due to all my hard work.  Honestly though, without their direction I wouldn’t have been able to achieve as much as I have, as quickly as I have.  I have learned so much from them as coaches and as friends.  It is important to have a strong support system around you that knows how to capitalize on your strengths and identify your weaknesses so that you can continue to improve.  Having coaches that can be objective and push you beyond your limits is what makes a good athlete a great athlete.

How often do you practice your routine?  
Typically I train my routine and skills 2-3 times per week.  One of the biggest challenges of being a fitness competitor is finding the facilities to train in.  I am fortunate enough that I can train out of my former gymnastics club, Gymnastics Energy, as well as my high school, Notre Dame College School.  Without their help, it would make competing in fitness next to impossible.


You kinda flew under the radar coming into the Pittsburgh Pro but finished in third. How was it making your pro debut?  
It was an amazing experience!  I had only earned my pro card 7 days earlier.  I had no expectations going into it.  I just wanted to put on a strong performance and have the opportunity to step on stage with the other amazing pro fitness competitors.  I couldn’t have asked for a better result for my pro debut.  It will definitely be a highlight in my career.

Anything you wish someone would have told you that you learned the hard way when it comes to competing?   
Haha … who knew tanning for a show was so involved!  Exfoliate, moisturize, exfoliate, moisturize … cross your fingers it dries properly … is it dark enough … don’t sweat … and God please don’t let it rain!!!  That was definitely something I wasn’t prepared for the first time.  And countless shows later, it is no easier.  Someone definitely has to come out with a water proof, pH proof tanning product 
.

What’s the key to recovering from intense training and the demands of a fitness routine?  
One rest day during the week is imperative.  Sundays are always my rest day.  Your biggest gains are made when your body is resting, so you’re only defeating yourself if you don’t give your body that time to recover.  Mentally it is just as important.  It is easier to get through my demanding week of workouts when I know I have a day of R&R waiting for me at the end.

fiona harris kiss

Fiona all smiles at her IFBB Pro Fitness Debut.


One supplement you couldn’t live without?   
I would have to say my pre-workout amino acid supplement.  It definitely helps to get me through the tough days when I’ve already put in an early AM cardio session and a full work day before having to hit the gym for my weights and possibly more cardio.

What’s your breakfast typically look like? 
I typically have a shake for breakfast.  It usually includes whey protein isolate, avocado, banana, ice and water.  Yum!



Favorite body part to train?  
I would have to say it is shoulders at the moment.  There is nothing better than the feeling of not being able to lift your arms over your head after a solid shoulder workout!

What would be an example of your shoulder workout?
Dumbbell overhead press superset with cable front raises – 4 sets of 15
Seated lateral raises – 4 sets of 12-15
Bent over rear delt flyes superset with up and backs – 4 sets of 15
Arnold dumbbell press – 4 sets of 12-15


One contest prep food you could live without?   
Lately I would have to say asparagus.  These days I could definitely take or leave it.  A close runner up to that would be fish.  I’ve come a long way though – a year ago, I would never have eaten fish.  Dare I say now I have come to “almost” enjoy it.

One contest prep food you enjoy eating?
Oatmeal.  I love my oatmeal! I would prefer to eat more than the ½ cup dry oats I get, but I won’t turn my nose up at it.  Add some natural peanut butter and it is a real treat!

Rather watch hockey or UFC?  
Definitely UFC!  I’ve become quite a big fan over the past couple of years.  You have to appreciate the amazing athleticism of these fighters.  Georges St. Pierre is by far my favorite.

Favorite quote:
This quote is plastered across the wall in my trainer’s gym: “Pain is weakness leaving the body”.  That mantra will get you through any tough workout!

Number of Lulu Lemon items you own:  
If you ask my husband, he would say too many.  If you ask me, I would say not enough ;)  I’d estimate around 20 items.

Massages are ____?  
“Essential”!!!!  My massage therapist Serena Miresse (RMT) is so talented at what she does.  She can always identify my trouble areas without me even needing to tell her, help me to relieve my aches and pains from my training and keep my muscles moving through full range of motion to avoid future injuries.

How important is it to have a supportive family while competing?   
I can honestly say I would not be competing today without the support of my family.  My husband Steve is my biggest fan!  He is always there with words of encouragement when I hit a wall in my training/dieting and my voice of reason when I am pushing myself too hard.  Each time I step on stage I look to make him proud.  There are a lot of sacrifices made between a couple when competing, so to have such an amazing support system at home makes the world of difference.  He wants nothing more than to see me live out my dreams.  There is nothing more a girl could ask for in a partner!

Advice you’d give to women who are thinking about competing but unsure of themselves?  
The first time I competed, my goal was simple – overcome my fears, step on stage and display all of my hard work.  Trophies were the last thing on my mind.  You have to enjoy the process of competing.  The months leading up to the competition are where the wins are made.  You challenge your mind and body in ways you never thought you would.  You learn so much about your drive and commitment.  Stepping on stage the day of the competition with the tan, glittering suit and heels is just the icing on the cake.  And who knows what will come of it.  My competitive career started out with the goal of checking another item off my bucket list.  Now I’m living my dream!  I wouldn’t change anything for the world.

Where can people find out more info on you?   
I am in the process of creating my own website, so keep your eye out for that.  But for now, you can always find me on Facebook.  Reach out to me with comments and questions.  I love to help others who are looking to get into the industry and share training/nutrition ideas with fellow competitors!

All the best in Fiona! Thank you for you time.

See competition photos of Fiona on bodybuilding.com and follow her on twitter @fionaharrisfit.

Filed Under: Competitor's Corner, Olympia

Hardbody Road to The Olympia: Erin Stern Motivation

September 12, 2012 by

2010 Figure Olympia Champ, Erin Stern recently competed at the Valenti Gold Cup in Sarasota, Florida. She walked away with the win but her work for the year is far from over. Next stop for Erin is the Figure Olympia where she has her sights set on reclaiming the title she once held. What’s the key to reclaiming the crown? For Erin it means staying focused and working on being her best. She wasted no time showing why she’s a champion after her Sarasota win. The next day she was on the track doing work.

 

erin-stern-track-workout
As part of our Hardbody Road to the Olympia, we’ll be sharing motivational quotes and images from some of the 2012 competitors. Erin kicks things off and as you can see from the image below, she’s definitely a HARDBODY!

Fitness results are directly proportional with the effort you put into your workouts! So… what’s the best way to achieve the results you want? Get moving!! Whether you’re walking or doing sprints at the track – push yourself!!! There are hundreds of “right” ways to work out 🙂 Train hard, y’all!! – Erin Stern

 

erin stern get moving motivationClick for larger view. Photo by: Isaac Hinds

 

Follow Erin on twitter @ErinFast and like her facebook fan page at https://www.facebook.com/FitErin.

Filed Under: I'M A HARDBODY, Olympia

Hardbody Road To The Olympia: Nathalia Melo “Listen to Your Body”

September 12, 2012 by

One of the IFBB’s most popular bikini competitors, Nathalia Melo checks in on her road to the Olympia. She talks about the often cliché “listen to your body” and her love/hate relationship with an “evil device”. One thing you can always count on with Nathalia is her keeping a sense of humor even when she’s tired, crabby and wants to chew her arm off during a prep. This latest check-in is no different. Check out what’s happening in Nathalia’s world in this installment of her Road to The O.

A COMPETITOR’S LIFE
Just Under 3 weeks out
By Nathalia Melo

Hello Hardbodies!

We are now just under 3 weeks from the 2012 Olympia and I can easily say that this has been the contest prep in which I have learned a lot about my body and myself!

I had always heard people say how you should listen to your body and if you felt it was begging for a bit of rest then it should be given. For me it was a whole bunch of crap and just an excuse to get a day off! Well… I was 100% wrong on that!

At this point training is getting very intense, the “bipolar” effect is taking over and I feel like I can only remember my name because of Facebook! LOL…

I was stressing out over little things and feeling like things were not falling in place… Thanks to that little device, which I have learned to develop a Love/Hate relationship, THE SCALE! Sometimes you wanna hug it and kiss it, but sometimes you just wanna smash it against the wall! Hold on, hold on… I didn’t do either! Pheeew! I think that because of the stress my body was just like “WTF?”, and one day it decided to shut off on me, and refused to do the things I was telling it to do!! That’s when I realized it needed a BREAK… the famous, “Listen to your body!” was happening to me! No, It wasn’t a bunch of crap or an excuse; it was actually true!

I went home, ate my meals every day and slept until my bed kicked me out of it! Oh it felt good!! The next day I went back to my routine, and when I looked at myself on the mirror and stepped on the “evil device” aka the scale – BOOOM!! Everything was RIGHT ON!! Wohoooo!!!

Contest Prep, just like life, has its ups and downs, but you can’t give up at the first bump on the road! You might need a little break to get yourself together and keep on pushing forward!! Giving up on anything, mainly on yourself, should NEVER be an option and this is another lesson that I have learned on my Road to the Olympia 2012!!

Thank you all for reading this crazy and hungry lady’s blog, and Thanks Hardbody for the space to share a bit of my craziness!

Until next time,
Nathalia Melo

Follow Nathalia on twitter @nathaliamelofit and become a fan of hers on Facebook. Check out Nathalia’s contest photos here.

Filed Under: Competitor's Corner, Olympia

2012 Bikini Olympia Preview & Predictions

September 11, 2012 by

This year will mark the third time that the Bikini Olympia has been part of the Olympia weekend. The 2012 contest will be the largest field yet. The inaugural winner, Sonia Gonzales and the defending champion Nicole Nigrani are a both in the line-up. We break down the entire field on bodybuilding.com.

bikini olympia 2012
Check out the predictions at the end of the article. Do you agree or disagree? Post your comments in the field below with who YOU think will win the Olympia.

Filed Under: Olympia, Show Previews

HARDBODY Preview & Predictions: IFBB St. Louis Pro Bikini

September 11, 2012 by

Twelve women will head to St. Louis this weekend in hopes of qualifying for the Bikini Olympia. Jack Titone’s IFBB St. Louis Pro Bikini contest serves as the last chance for the women to qualify. The winner will head to the big show in Las Vegas, second through fifth with collect points in the new Qualification Point Series. Check out the line-up and the various scenarios with the current point standings.

 

THE HARDBODY 411
Two women in this line-up are currently qualified for the Olympia. A number of women are in the mix for points but who will prevail and head to Vegas? Let’s break it down.

1. Jennifer Andrews – Lexington, Kentucky
Jennifer has been up and down in the placings. She tends to fair better at smaller shows than the larger ones, that said look for her to be in the mix of the top spots. She presents in a more beauty pageant type of manner than some of the other competitors. She had success in St. Louis earlier this year and will look to do so again. Jennifer is already qualified for the Olympia so the pressure is off, but will she be at 100% with the Olympia just 2 weeks after this show? View Contest Photos.

2. Christy Cook – St. Peters, Missouri
Christy will look to get in the mix of the top five here. She’s been on the outside looking in her last two outings. She was 7th at the Tampa Pro and 8th at the Greater Gulf States. She’s switched up her training and presentation over the last year. She’ll have her work cut out for her here but she could be in the mix. View Contest Photos.

3. Gemmalyn Crosby – Phillipines
Gemmalynn continues to refine her physique since taking the pro stage. She was at her best at last week’s Valenti Gold Cup. If she comes in similar to that fullness, she’ll be in the hunt once again. It will be a bit tougher competition with a different judging panel so we’ll see how she matches up. She has the hair whip down from the back, which I’m not a fan of but it obviously hasn’t hurt her on the judges score sheets. View Contest Photos.

4. Ruth Harrison – Bremerton, Washington
Ruth also known as Ruthie will be making her IFBB Pro debut and look for her to make an immediate impact in the pro ranks. She’s one of the taller women of the division but has natural beauty. She achieved IFBB Pro status at the 2012 NPC JR Nationals earlier this year by winning her class. I look for her to be one of the leading ladies and my pick to shake things up and leave with the win. View Contest Photos.

5. Michon Leddy – Waukee, Iowa
Michon turned pro at the 2012 NPC Teen, Collegiate, Master’s Nationals. She’ll have her work cut out for her with this line up. If she can come in better than she did her last show then it will be a win for her. Mishon has continue to improve her physique over the last few shows. View Contest Photos.

6. Deborah Lee – Delray Beach, Florida
Deborah Lee is coming off an overall win at the 2012 Master’s Nationals and looks to continue on her winning ways. She has been in the winner’s circle and on the outside of the top 5 as an amateur. If she’s relaxed and poses with confidence she could crack the top five but she’ll need to channel positive energy an bring that to the stage. View Contest Photos.

7. Dayna Maleton – Manalapan, New Jersey
Dayna has competed in four shows this year and she’s finished in 4th place each show. That says something for her consistency on stage but she’ll look to break the 4th place streak in her fifth show. She’s one of the more muscular women on stage but she carries it well. She’s refined her presentation and can hold her own in the top line-ups whereas before she’d be on the outside looking in based largely on her posing. View Contest Photos.

8. Nicole Moneer – Schaumburg, Illinois
Nicole is already qualified for the Olympia with her 3rd place finish at the 2011 Iowa Pro. This was before the new qualification series took place. Her lone show this year, the Pittsburgh Pro, she finished in 12th place. This will be a tough show for her to crack the top spots but will have a chance to workout any prep details before the Olympia. View Contest Photos.

9. Justine Munro – Ontario Canada
The lone Canadian, Justine will look to finish in the top places and head to the Olympia again. She has the looks and she has the presentation. It will come down to her conditioning. She’ll need to have her legs down in size without her abs being too lean. She has a pair of second place finishes and has a chance for the win here. View Contest Photos.

10. Marcela Tribin – Columbia
Marcela has three pro shows and three top five finishes. There’s no denying she has the walk down and she has the looks that the judges are drawn to. She was at her best last week at the Valenti Gold Cup where she finished second. Marcela will be looking for a top five finish again to secure a spot in the Olympia via the point series. View Contest Photos.

11. Michelle Trasey – Overland Park, Kansas
This will be Michelle’s 4th pro show and she will be looking to crack the top five for the first time. Her highest finish to date was 7th at the 2011 Ft. Lauderdale Pro. She’s coming off a 12th place finish at the Tampa Pro and will have a tough time cracking the top spots here. She definitely brings the “sass” to the stage. View Contest Photos.

12. Christina Vujnich – Rolling Meadows, Illinois
Christina will look to get into top spots in hopes of heading to the Bikini Olympia. Christina was 5th at the March St. Louis Pro and will look to get in the mix again this year. She has a distinct look with her short hair however her presentation is what, in my opinion, has held her back. She tends to make goofy facial expressions and seems a bit nervous. She has improved over her presentation since turning pro, so we’ll have to see what she brings to the stage. View Contest Photos.

The Olympia Qualification Point Series
1. Jennifer Chapman – 13
2. Justine Munro – 8
2. Marcela Tribin – 8
2. Taylor Matheny – 8
2. Dayna Maleton – 8
6. Cristina Vujnich – 3

After doing the current standings and scenarios it appears the field is set. Justine, Marcela and Dayna are all in the show and tied for second in current points. Only Cristina Vujnich as points in the top 10 however with 3 points she would not be able to qualify unless she wins. Second place is 4 points so she’d end up falling short by one point.

2012 IFBB ST. LOUIS PRO BIKINI COMPETITORS:
1. Jennifer Andrews – Lexington, Kentucky
2. Christy Cook – St. Peters, Missouri
3. Gemmalyn Crosby – Phillipines
4. Ruth Harrison – Bremerton, Washington
5. Michon Leddy – Waukee, Iowa
6. Deborah Lee – Delray Beach, Florida
7. Dayna Maleton – Manalapan, New Jersey
8. Nicole Moneer – Schaumburg, Illinois
9. Justine Munro – Ontario Canada
10. Marcela Tribin – Columbia
11. Michelle Trasey – Overland Park, Kansas
12. Christina Vujnich – Rolling Meadows, Illinois

Ron “The Yogi’s Picks:
1. Jennifer Andrews
2. Justine Munro
3. Marcela Tribin
4. Dayna Maleton
5. Christina Vujnich

Isaac’s Picks:
1. Ruthie Harrison
2. Justine Munro
3. Jennifer Andrews
4. Dayna Maleton
5. Marcela Tribin

EVENT INFORMATION:

VENUE:
Rickman Auditorium. Theater
745 Jeffco Blvd., Arnold, MO, 63010.
TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE DOOR ONLY!

TIME:
Pro Check-in:Friday Sept 14th at 5:00pm at Host Hotel
Prejudging: Saturday Sept 15th 10am
Finals: Saturday, Sept. 15th 6pm

Liquid Sun Rayz is the official tanner – www.liquidsunrayz.com
Laurie St Michaels is the official makeup artist contact info (479) 616-0922 and email is Lstm1976@hotmail.com

HOST HOTEL:
Drury Inn & Suites
3800 State Route 141 Arnold, MO 63010
Telephone: (636) 287-3111

Individual Call-In reservations can be made by reserving online, go to www.druryhotels.com, then enter group number of 2153053. Reservations may also be made by calling 1-800-325-0720 and refer to the group number of 2153053. Rooms rate range from 84.00 to 94.00 per nite.

For more info visit: http://npcmidwest.com/pro/

Filed Under: IFBB, News & Features

Hardbody Inspiration: Gold Medalist Jessica Long

September 11, 2012 by

Jessica Long is A HARDBODY and one of the most inspirational people you’ll ever hope to meet. Jessica’s seventh medal of the London 2012 Paralympic Games was not only a gold medal but also a world record. She left London the most decorated American athlete of the Games. Check out the video interview of Jessica and if this doesn’t inspire you we don’t know what will.


Via Youtube:
The Paralympic Games, Aug. 29-Sept. 9, follow the London 2012 Olympic Games and are held in the same venues as Olympic competition. For more information on the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Team and Paralympic athletes, competitions and sports in the United States, visit http://www.USParalympics.org, the official website of U.S. Paralympics, a division of the United States Olympic Committee formed in 2001. U.S. Paralympics leads the Paralympic Movement in the United States.

Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., the United States Olympic Committee serves as both the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States. As such, the USOC is responsible for the training, entering and funding of U.S. teams for the Olympic, Paralympic, Youth Olympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games, while serving as a steward of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements throughout the country. For more information on the USOC and learn more about our athletes, log on to the official websites at http://www.teamusa.org and http://www.usparalympics.org.

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

IFBB Tournament of Champions Photos & Results

September 11, 2012 by

The 2012 IFBB Tournament of Champions Pro Figure was the last chance to qualify for the Olympia. Rookie Pro, Francine Sablan did what few women have done… win their pro debut. The win means her second pro show will be the Figure Olympia. Fellow rookie Mallory Haldeman finished in the runner-up position and will head to the Olympia as well via the Qualification Points System. The Figure Olympia will be Mallory’s third pro show since achieving pro status at the 2012 NPC Jr. Nationals. In a bit of a surprise, Teresa Anthony was relegated to third. Look for Teresa to be better than ever at the Olympia in less than three weeks.

Our West Coast correspondent, Ron Avidan was in Culver City to capture all the action on and off the stage. Visit Bodybuilding.com for complete results and photos from the 2012 Tournament of Champions.

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

Valenti Gold Cup Results & Photos

September 11, 2012 by

The inaugural IFBB Valenti Gold Cup is in the books and it was one for the history books. Erin Stern took top honors in the Figure division en route to the Olympia where she’ll look to reclaim the title she held in 2010. Yeshaira Robles won the bikini division, the first in her IFBB competitive career. Karina Nascimento solidified her position as one of the top women in the new Women’s Physique Division by taking home top honors. Myriam Capes unveiled a refined physique and new routine which earned her the win in Sarasota.

 

 

Visit Bodybuilding.com for complete results and photos from the show.

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

Hardbody Training: Legs Like Mallory Haldeman

September 11, 2012 by

Mallory Haldeman has been lighting things up on stage this year. She took home the overall Figure title at the 2012 NPC JR NATIONALS and has two runner-up finishes as an IFBB Pro. The pair of second place finishes put Mallory in the the Figure Olympia via the Qualification Points Series, not too shabby of a start to a pro career. Mallory has a set of legs that are the envy of many. How does she train her wheels of steel? To fin out we caught up with Mallory’s trainer, IFBB Fitness Pro Tracey Greenwood to get the leg workout she puts Mallory through.


If you want legs like Mallory it takes work, hard work. Give this leg workout a try an let us know how it goes. Get HARDBODY!

GIANT SET
SETS X REPS

3 X 15 Leg Extensions

3 X 15 leg press (feet in “V”)

3 x 20 deep squats standing each foot on a riser

3 x walking lunges (with weights) superset with 30 pop squats

3 x 10 on each side lateral barbell squats stepping over a riser or platform

GIANT SET
3 X 15 Lying leg curls

3 X 15 Manual leg curls

3 x 15 DB deadlifts standing on a riser

40 second rest between sets but if you really want to get hardbody drop down and do a set of abs. This workout should take no more than 40-45 minutes.

Mallory Haldeman Leg Training
Mallory Haldeman is A HARDBODY!

Follow Mallory on twitter @MalloryIFBB and find out more on Tracey Greenwood’s training programs at http://traceygreenwood.com.

 

 

Filed Under: Competitor's Corner, Olympia Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Jaime Baird Bikini Olympia Interview – “Fitness fuels life success.”

September 11, 2012 by

IFBB Bikini Pro Jaime Baird continues to refine her physique and has positioned herself as one of the leading ladies in the division. She will be heading to the Olympia once again this month and as with most competitors plans on bringing her best look to date. Bodybuilding.com caught up with the always professional Jaime for an interview where she talks about a busy schedule, staying focused and more.

Judging by your professional resume, you appear to juggle many interests at once. How do you balance your competitive aspirations with other important areas of your life?
It can definitely be a challenge. However, I feel that fitness has made me more effective in all areas of my life. I like to say: “Fitness fuels life success.” That said, time and energy are limited resources. For me, making good use of the early morning hours is a key to fitting it all in. I accomplish so much between the hours of 5-and-9 a.m. (there are fewer demands on my time early in the morning). Also, I’ve had to become extremely scheduled—accounting for every minute in a day. If I want to add something, I must delete something. So, I’ve had to become comfortable with saying “no” and prioritizing. Although to be honest, I still struggle with both from time to time. Sigh. Please send any tips and tricks my way.

Read the entire interview here.

 

Filed Under: Interviews, Olympia Tagged With: , , , , ,

Bikini Olympia Interview: Sonia Gonzales

September 11, 2012 by

Bodybuilding.com‘s David Robinson caught up with 2010 Bikini Olympia champion Sonia Gonzales. Sonia is heading to her third Olympia in hopes for repeating her 2010 finish. She dropped to 5th at last year’s show however has two wins under her heels this year, including the Bikini International. Sonia tells Robinson she’s been working on her glutes and bringing in a rounder booty to the show.

 

How do you handle the pressure associated with competing in a major event such as the Olympia?
I pray and I know God has put me in this event for a reason; it’s all his plan and that’s truly what I believe. It’s not an accident that I’m there. I believe it’s truly a gift from God.

Where do you feel you will land at the 2012 Olympia, and why? Do you see yourself as a favorite to win?
I am going to bring my best shape ever. Let the best woman win. It’s God’s plan, and he will put me where he thinks I need to be!

Read the entire interview here.

Filed Under: Interviews, Olympia Tagged With: , , , , , ,

RESULTS: 2012 IFBB Tournament Of Champions

September 9, 2012 by

2021 NPC USA Overall Champion, Francince Sablan made an immediate impact on the pro ranks by winning the 2012 Tournament of Champions. She bestest not only fellow rising rookie star Mallory Haldeman but also seasoned veteran Teresa Anthony for the win. Francine’s win qualifies her for the 2012 Figure Olympia.



2012 IFBB Tournament Of Champions Results:
1. Francine Sablan
2. Mallory Haldeman
3. Teresa Anthony
4. Allison Frahn
5. Larissa Reis
6. Felicia Romero
7. Erin Harding
8. Kimberly Sheppard
9. Michele Mayberry
10. Katerina Tarbox
11. Natalie Waples
12. Willaine Marquez
13. Michelle Krack
14. Deborah Denio
15. Melanie Burger
16. Olga Morales

Filed Under: Contest Results, IFBB

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