Swann Cardot Aka Frenchy Crowned New IFBB Pro


If you’ve been a visitor to this website the name Swann Cardot is a familiar one. I first interviewed the tiny dancer from France in November of 2011. She put together an impressive winning streak in the amateur NPC Figure ranks and had the looks to match the on-stage physique. Today Swann learned that she was granted IFBB Pro status from her native country of France. She earned IFBB Pro status with her impressive amateur competitions resume. Since she’s not a U.S. Citizen she wasn’t permitted to compete in NPC pro qualifiers.

swann-lead

Swann isn’t the first to successfully petition for a pro card from her native country. Bikini Olympia Champion, Nathalia Melo did it. Dina Al-Sabah did it years ago by cleaning house in Figure. Arnold bound Marcela Tribin petitioned successfully in her homeland of Columbia. Join me in congratulating Swann aka Frenchy in her announcement. Swann shared she was super excited with the news and still in a state of shock. She is looking at the New York Pro as her pro debut.

swan-trxSwann demonstrating her ninja flexibility skills.

Last year around this time we shared “Follow Frenchy” as she headed into the Arnold Amateur. Check it out to learn more about her and her journey to last year’s Arnold Amateur competition. Swann is a great example of never giving up on a goal, staying focused and determined.

FEATURED SWANN CARDOT PHOTO GALLERY

Congrats Swann and welcome to the pros. Follow Swann on Twitter & like her Facebook page.



IFBB Pro Fitness Added To 2013 PBW Tampa Pro


The number of IFBB Pro Fitness shows are few and far between, especially stateside this year. Now IFBB Fitness Pros have a chance to compete before the 2013 Olympia at the Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Tampa Pro. A number of pros have cited not knowing in time to properly prepare for previous shows, that’s certainly not the case here. We hope to see a number of women step up and compete in this show. A number of promoters have dropped pro fitness from their events due to lack of participation.

tampaproAdded
Tim Gardner and his team always put on a great event in Tampa. This is a welcomed addition to the event. Props to all who are involved in this Fitness addition. We’ll see you there!

PBW CHAMPIONSHIPS PRO
August 9-10 – Tampa, Florida
Promoter: Tim Gardner
Contact: 813-908-7843 / tgflex@aol.com
www.pbwproshow.com



Which Veronique Morin Cover is better?


Covers are a fitness model’s dream. Oxygen Magazine is often on the bucket-list of a hardbody to appear in and a cover would be a dream come true. There are only twelve covers a year for Oxygen and half of that for Muscle and Fitness HERS. HERS is published every other month so your chances of landing a cover are few and far between. Magazines are fighting for slumping sales and a great cover can help on newsstands.

veronique morin

 

Consider the odds of landing one cover much less two AT THE SAME TIME. It’s rare to see the same model a cover of two different magazines at the same time but this month IFBB Bikini Pro Veronique Morin did it. She is wearing workout attire on both. Oxygen went with a NIKE top while HERS opted for an Addidas top. Veronique looks significantly more muscular on HERS an sports curly hair.

We’re throwing it out to you Hardbody Nation, which cover did it better?

Which Cover is Better? Click for larger view

{democracy:242}


2013 IFBB Contest Schedule – Dates Announced *Updated


The 2013 IFBB Pro League Contest schedule has been released and there are a few new shows added, as well as a couple new locations. The Fitness and Women’s Bodybuilding divisions will see fewer shows in the United States in 2013. The schedule is subject to change and your best bet is to visit IFBBpro.com for the latest contest information.

2013 IFBB contest schedule
HARDBODY 411:
The breakdown of shows from 2012 to 2013 are below. The biggest hit was the Fitness Division with 4 few shows on the schedule for 2013. Women’s Bodybuilding loses a show, while Women’s Physique is down two shows overall from the 2012 schedule. Figure and Bikini continue to dominate and both divisions are up in total shows from 2012.

2013 Number of Shows
Open Men Bodybuilding – 17
212 Men Bodybuilding – 9
Men’s Physique – 11
Women’s Bodybuilding – 5
Fitness – 6
Figure – 24
Bikini – 25
Women’s Physique – 11

2012 Number of Shows
Open Men Bodybuilding – 18
212 Men Bodybuilding – 13
Men’s Physique – 10
Women’s Bodybuilding – 6
Fitness – 10
Figure – 23
Bikini – 23
Women’s Physique – 13

**Updated November 29, 2012**

FITNESS – 6 Total Shows

FITNESS INTERNATIONAL
March 1-2 – Columbus, Ohio
Promoter: Jim Lormier
Contact: 614-431-2600 / slorenz@arnoldexpo.com
Info: www.arnoldsportsfestival.com

FIBO POWER GERMANY
April 13 – Cologne, Germany
Promoter: Jens Thieme
Contact: jens.thieme@reedexpo.de

ARNOLD CLASSIC BRASIL
April 26-27 – Rio deJaneiro, Brasil
Promoter: Rafael Santonja and Bob Lorimer
www.arnoldclassicbrasil.com

TORONTO PRO SUPERSHOW
May 31-June 1 – Toronto, Canada
Promoter: Ron Hache
Contact: 705-561-0775 / ronhache@unitz.ca
Info: www.TorontoProSupershow.com

FITNESS OLYMPIA
September 27-28 – Las Vegas, Nevada
Promoter: Robin Chang
Contact Info: 866-676-2007 / rchang@weiderpub.com
www.mrolympia.com

ARNOLD CLASSIC EUROPE
October 12-13 – Madrid, Spain
Promoter: Monica Ortega
Contact Info: 346-738-88752 or info@ifbbevents.com
www.arnoldclassiceurope.es

——————

FIGURE – 24 Total shows

FIGURE INTERNATIONAL
March 1-2 – Columbus, Ohio
Promoter: Jim Lormier
Contact: 614-431-2600 / slorenz@arnoldexpo.com
www.arnoldsportsfestival.com

AUSTRALIA PRO
March 9-10 – Melbourne, Australia
Promoter: Tony Doherty
Contact: 613-9388-0866 / promuscle@dohertysgym.com
www.dohertysgym.com

ST. LOUIS PRO
March 16 – St. Louis, Missouri
Promoter: Jack Titone
Contact: 314-686-3828 /  titonej@aol.com
www.npcmidwest.com

GOVERNORS CUP
March 23, 2013 – Sacramento, California
Promoter: Ted Williamson/John Tuman
Contact: tedwm@aol.com / bbspy@aol.com
spectrumfitnessproductions.com

EUROPA SHOW OF CHAMPIONS
April 19-20 – Orlando, Florida
Promoter: Ed and Betty Pariso
Contact: 817-498-3631 / BettyPariso@aol.com
www.europaexpo.com

PITTSBURGH PRO
May 4 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Promoter: Jim Manion
Contact: 412-276-5027 / npcfirst@aol.com
www.garyudit.com

POWERHOUSE PRO/AM CLASSIC
May 5 – Detroit, Michigan
Promoter: Will Dabish
Contact:248-305-9630 / 313-670-0727 / willdabish@powerhousegym.com

NEW YORK PRO
May 25 – New York, New York
Promoter: Steve Weinberger
Contact: 516-933-1111 / info@bevfrancis.com
www.bevfrancis.com

CALIFORNIA PRO
May 25 – Culver City, California
Promoter: Jon Lindsay
Contact: 866-370-3011
www.musclecontest.com

TORONTO PRO SUPERSHOW
May 31 – June 1 – Toronto, Canada
Promoter: Ron Hache
Contact: 705-561-0775 / ronhache@unitz.ca
www.TorontoProSupershow.com

OMAHA PRO
June 8 – Omaha, Nebraska
Promoter: Jack Titone
Contact: 314-686-3828
www.npcmidwest.com

WINGS OF STRENGTH CHICAGO PRO
June 5-6 – Chicago, Illinois
Promoter: Tim Gardner
Contact: 813-908-7843 / tgflex@aol.com
www.chiocagoproshow.com

PBW CHAMPIONSHIPS PRO
August 9-10 – Tampa, Florida
Promoter: Tim Gardner
Contact: 813-908-7843 / tgflex@aol.com
www.pbwproshow.com

EUROPA SUPER SHOW
August 16-17 – Dallas, Texas
Promoter: Ed and Betty Pariso
Contact: 817-498-3631 / BettyPariso@aol.com
www.europaexpo.com

TAHOE SHOW 
August 24, 2013 – Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Promoter: Chris Minnes
Contact: 775-267-7564 / Chris@tahoeshow.com
www.TahoeShow.com

NORDIC PRO CHAMPIONSHIPS
August 31 – Finland
Promoter: K.P. Ourama
Contact: kp.ourama@kpfitness.fi
www.fitnessexpo.fi

VALENTI GOLD CUP
August 31 – Sarasota, Florida
Promoter: Patricia Valenti
Contact: 941-955-9300 / info@valentigoldcup.com
www.valentigoldcup.com

TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
September 7 – Culver City, California
Promoter: Jon Lindsay
Contact: 866-370-3011
www.musclecontest.com

FIGURE OLYMPIA
September 27-28 – Las Vegas, Nevada
Promoter: Robin Chang
Contact: 866-676-2007 or rchang@weiderpub.com
Info: www.mrolympia.com

SHERU CLASSIC
October 4-5 – Mumbai, India
Promoter: Sheru Aangrish
Contact: Sheru@sheruclassic.com
www.sheruclassic.in

ARNOLD CLASSIC EUROPE
October 12-13 – Madrid, Spain
Promoter: Monica Ortega
Contact: 346-738-88752 / info@ifbbevents.com
www.arnoldclassiceurope.es

HOUSTON PRO
October 12 – Houston, Texas
Promoter: Lee Thompson
Contact: 281-435-8804 or lee@tltinc.org
www.thompsonmusclecontest.com

EVL’S PRAGUE PRO
October 25-26 – Prague, Czech Republic
Promoter: Eva Sukupova
Contact: info@evlspraguepro.com
www.EVLsPraguePro.com

KENTUCKY MUSCLE PRO
November 9 – Louisville, Kentucky
Promoter: Brent Jones
Contact: 502-387-3808 / lbrentjones@kentuckymuscle.com
www.kentuckymuscle.com

——————

BIKINI – 17 Total Shows

BIKINI INTERNATIONAL
March 1-2 – Columbus, Ohio
Promoter: Jim Lormier
Contact Info: 614-431-2600 / slorenz@arnoldexpo.com
www.arnoldsportsfestival.com

AUSTRALIA PRO GRAND PRIX
March 9-10 – Melbourne, Australia
Promoter: Tony Doherty
Contact: 613-9388-0866 / promuscle@dohertysgym.com
www.dohertysgym.com

MUSCLECONTEST.COM PRO 
March 9 – Torrance, California
Promoter: Jon Lindsay
Contact: 866-370-3011
www.musclecontest.com

ST. LOUIS PRO
March 16 – St. Louis, Missouri
Promoter: Jack Titone
Contact: 314-686-3828
www.npcmidwest.com

BATTLE ON THE BEACH
March 30 – Daytona Beach, Florida
Promoter: Kristen Nagrani/Shannon Dey
Contact: 386-334-0429 / 386-214-3927 / fitgirlproductions@hotmail.com
www.ftlauderdalecup.com

PITTSBURGH PRO
May 4 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Promoter: Jim Manion
Contact: 412-276-5027 / npcfirst@aol.com
garyudit.com/event/2012-npc-pittsburgh-championships

POWERHOUSE PRO/AM CLASSIC
May 11 – Detroit, Michigan
Promoter: Will Dabish
Contact: 248-305-9630 / 313-670-0727  /  willdabish@powerhousegym.com

NEW YORK PRO
May 25 – New York, New York
Promoter: Steve Weinberger
Contact: 516-933-1111 / info@bevfrancis.com
www.bevfrancis.com

TORONTO PRO SUPERSHOW
May 31-June 1 – Toronto, Canada
Promoter: Ron Hache
Contact: 705-561-0775 / ronhache@unitz.ca
www.TorontoProSupershow.com

GREATER GULF STATES
June 21-22 – New Orleans, Louisiana
Promoter: Luke Tesvich
Contact: 504-439-6224 /  NPCLAoffice@aol.com
www.npcggs.com

EUROPA BATTLE OF CHAMPIONS
June 29 – Hartford, Connecticut
Promoter: Ed and Betty Pariso
Contact: 817-498-3631 / BettyPariso@aol.com
www.europaexpo.com

PBW CHAMPIONSHIPS PRO
August 9-10 – Tampa, Florida
Promoter: Tim Gardner
Contact: 813-908-7843 / tgflex@aol.com
www.pbwproshow.com

ORANGE COUNTY MUSCLE CLASSIC
August 10 – San Diego, California
Promoter: Jon Lindsay
Contact: 866-370-3011
www.musclecontest.com

ST. LOUIS PRO
August 24 – St.Louis, Missouri
Promoter: Jack Titone
Contact: 314-686-3828
www.npcmidwest.com

NORDIC PRO
August 31 – Finland
Promoter: K.P. Ourama
Contact: kp.ourama@kpfitness.fi
www.fitnessexpo.fi

VALENTI GOLD CUP 
August 31 – Sarasota, Florida
Promoter: Patricia Valenti
Contact: 941-955-9300 / info@valentigoldcup.com
www.valentigoldcup.com

BIKINI OLYMPIA
September 27-28 – Las Vegas, Nevada
Promoter: Robin Chang
Contact: 866-676-2007 / rchang@weiderpub.com
www.mrolympia.com

SHERU CLASSIC
October 4-5 – Mumbai, India
Promoter: Sheru Aangrish
Contact: Sheru@sheruclassic.com
www.sheruclassic.in

HOUSTON PRO
October 12 – Houston, Texas
Promoter: Lee Thompson
Contact: 281-435-8804 / lee@tltinc.org
thompsonmusclecontest.com

FORT LAUDERDALE CUP
October 19 – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Promoter: Kristen Nagrani/Shannon Dey
Contact: 386-334-0429 / 386-214-3927  /  fitgirlproductions@hotmail.com
www.ftlauderdalecup.com

BRITISH GRAND PRIX
October 19-20 – Manchester, England
Promoter: Neil Hill
Contact: neilhill69@btinternet.com

BORDER STATES
October 26 – San Diego, California
Promoter: Jon Lindsay
Contact Info: 866-370-3011
www.musclecontest.com

EVL’S PRAGUE PRO
October 25-26 – Prague, Czech Republic
Promoter: Eva Sukupova
Contact: info@evlspraguepro.com
www.EVLsPraguePro.com

SACRAMENTO PRO
November 2 – Sacramento, California
Promoter: Ted Williamson/John Tuman
Contact: 951-687-9366 / 209-480-1798 / tedwm@aol.com / bbspy@aol.com
www.spectrumfitnessproductions.com

IRON WARRIORS
November 9 – San Diego, California
Promoter: Jon Lindsay
Contact: 866-370-3011
www.musclecontest.com

——————
WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE – 11 Total Shows

IFBB PRO GRAND PRIX 
April 13 – Culver City, California
Promoter: Jon Lindsay
Contact: 866-370-3011
www.musclecontest.com

EUROPA SHOW OF CHAMPIONS
April 19-20 – Orlando, Florida
Promoter: Ed and Betty Pariso
Contact: 817-498-3631 / BettyPariso@aol.com
www.europaexpo.com

NEW YORK PRO
May 25 – New York, New York
Promoter: Steve Weinberger
Contact: 516-933-1111 / info@bevfrancis.com
www.bevfrancis.com

TORONTO PRO
May 31-June 1 – Toronto, Canada
Promoter: Ron Hache
Contact: 705-561-0775 / ronhache@unitz.ca
www.TorontoProSupershow.com

MILE HIGH PRO
June 1 – Denver, Colorado
Promoter: Jeff Taylor
Contact: 303-282-9999 / jtnpc@comcast.net
www.coloradonpc.com

GREATER GULF STATES
June 21-22 – New Orleans, Louisiana
Promoter: Luke Tesvich
Contact: 504-439-6224 / NPCLAoffice@aol.com
www.npcggs.com

WINGS OF STRENGTH CHICAGO PRO
July 5-6 – Chicago, Illinois
Promoter: Tim Gardner
Contact: 813-908-7843 or tgflex@aol.com
Info: www.chiocagoproshow.com

PBW CHAMPIONSHIPS PRO
August 9-10 – Tampa, Florida
Promoter: Tim Gardner
Contact: 813-908-7843 / tgflex@aol.com
www.pbwproshow.com

EUROPA SUPER SHOW
August 16-17 – Dallas, Texas
Promoter: Ed and Betty Pariso
Contact: 817-498-3631 / BettyPariso@aol.com
www.europaexpo.com

OLYMPIA WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE SHOWDOWN
September 27-28 – Las Vegas, Nevada
Promoter: Robin Chang
Contact: 866-676-2007 / rchang@weiderpub.com
www.mrolympia.com

TITANS GRAND PRIX
October 19 – Culver City, California
Promoter: Jon Lindsay
Contact: 866-370-3011
www.musclecontest.com

——————

WOMEN’S BODYBUILDING – 5 total shows

MS. INTERNATIONAL
March 1-2 – Columbus, Ohio
Promoter: Jim Lormier
Contact: 614-431-2600 / slorenz@arnoldexpo.com
www.arnoldsportsfestival.com

TORONTO PRO
May 31-June 1 – Toronto, Canada
Promoter: Ron Hache
Contact: 705-561-0775 / ronhache@unitz.ca
www.TorontoProSupershow.com

WINGS OF STRENGTH CHICAGO PRO
July 5-6 – Chicago, Illinois
Promoter: Tim Gardner
Contact: 813-908-7843 / tgflex@aol.com
www.chiocagoproshow.com

PRO BODYBUILDING WEEKLY CHAMPIONSHIPS
August 9-10 – Tampa, Florida
Promoter: Tim Gardner
Contact: 813-908-7843 / tgflex@aol.com
Info: www.pbwproshow.com

MS. OLYMPIA
September 27-28 – Las Vegas, Nevada
Promoter: Robin Chang
Contact: 866-676-2007 / rchang@weiderpub.com
Info: www.mrolympia.com
For a complete list of the men’s events visit IFBBpro.com.



2012 Nordic Pro Figure Championships


Fifteen women are slated to compete in the IFBB Nordic Pro Women’s Figure event held in Lahti, Finland. The women will have one last chance to qualify for the Olympia on September 8, 2012. Chances are we’ll see an unfamiliar name and face added to the Olympia line up from this show. Ann Pratt is the lone representative from the United States. European competitors have to be thrilled at this opportunity as many of the IFBB pro shows are held in the U.S. The event will also have a Fitness Expo.


Competitor’s list:

Kati Alander – Finland
Lynsey Beattie – England
Susanne Bock – Germany
Cristiana Casoni – Italy
Thea Erichsen – Norway
Gal Ferreira-Yates – Brazil
Maria Jose Garcia – Spain
Lisbeth Halikka – Finland
Anny Pratt – USA
Natalia Revajova Lenartova – Slovakia
Miriam Sanchez – Lo Pagan
Nina Sandvold Moe – Norway
Giada Simari – Italy
Heidi Simari – Finland
Larua Tolonen – Finland

For more information visit: http://www.fitnessexpo.fi or https://www.facebook.com/NordicPro.

Show info from IFBB Nordic Pro Championships promoter KP Ourama, via MD.

Transportation in Lahti
All the competitors will have a bus for the transportation in Lahti, from the hotel to the contest venue and back. We will give you all the exact time schedules as you enter the front desk or at the Airport as you arrive. Your friends can also come to bus with you.

Meeting fans at the Fitness Expo on Sunday

If you stay over Sunday and you want to meet your Finnish fans that can be easily done by contacting IFBB Nordic Pro main sponsor Mass Nutrition’s Robert Walker (robert@mass.fi). Robert is very pleased if you sit in his very BIG) booth on Sunday and you can have a seat, sell your merchandise, pose with the fans and talk to them.

Competition Schedule
13:00 (1.00 p.m.)
Athletes Meeting: Men’s Pro Bodybuilding & Women’s Pro Figure
All Athletes – Fitness Expo, Lahti Fair Centre (Athlete briefing & hand in music)

14:00 (2.00 p.m.)
Meet the IFBB Pro Champions
All Athletes – Fitness Expo, Lahti Fair Centre
If you want to sell your signed photographs or DVD’s or other merchandise, you are welcomed to attend “Meet the IFBB Pro Champions” where you will have your own desk and chair to meet the Finnish fans at the Expo.

19:00 (7.00 p.m.)
Pre-Judging and Finals
All Athletes – Fitness Expo, Lahti Fair Centre
Pre-Judging and finals will be held together. We are starting with Pro Figure Pre-Judging and moving to Men’s Pro Bodybuilding Pre-Judging. After a short break we will continue with the Finals.

Jan Tana Spray Tanning Services
IFBB Nordic Pro will have a Jan Tana Spray Tanning Services at the host hotel Cumulus (2nd floor) on Saturday from 07.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Please, make the reservation in advance and make sure that you will look good on stage! Price is 150 Euro (cash only).
Ask Nina Tanner about her services:
Email: nokoninnu@hotmail.com
Phone: +358 40 5681278

Make Up Services for Pro Figure Competitors
If you want to have a glamorous stage look you can book time for the Nordic Pro Official Make Up Artist Tiina Ylikahri. Please, contact to Tiina and make the reservation in advance! Make sure that you will look good on stage!
Email: tiina@puuteripilvi.fi
Phone: +358 40 3424549

Gym
If you want to have a workout or two, just let us know and you will be drive to our gym where you can train without disruption of people staring or asking you something. We have all the basic Precor Icarian Line equipments, free weights and some machines plus cardio equipments. Just tell us before you arrive when you want to have a workout and we will fix you a drive to the gym!

ATTENTION: Please let us know if you want to have a workout before the competition as you arrive. Let us know the date and times you want to train and we will take you to the gym by car.



IFBB Fitness Pro Jodi Boam Video Blog


IFBB Fitness Pro Jodi Boam has positioned herself as one of the leading ladies in fitness. She continues to refine her physique and always brings incredible strength moves to the stage. Jodi notched another win earlier this month at the Pittsburgh Pro and currently days out from defending her title as Toronto Super Show Fitness Champion. This video blog gives you a peek at the incredible strength and talent she has.


The beginning she talks a bit about what she does and why she does it and then she gets down to business. Watch as she performs the strength moves and not just ones but multiple times. We’d encourage you to try this yourself to understand how difficult they but we don’t want you to hurt yourself. Jodi makes it look easy and that’s why she’s a pro. Follow Jodi on Facebook as she tries to avoid parking tickets and dials it in for the 2012 Toronto Super Show.



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